When you first meet Denis Musyoka, you see a man with a quiet strength and a ready smile. But beneath that humility is a story of bold faith, relentless work, and a heart completely invested in the mission of Heart for Africa.
Denis is Project Canaan’s Property Manager, and one of the first people to set foot on its land when the vision for the project was still in its infancy. He left his home country of Kenya in 2009, saying goodbye to his wife and two daughters, to follow God’s call to Eswatini. “For me to be here, it is a blessing,” he says. “I grew up in a children’s home myself. So now, when I work for Project Canaan, I feel that I am helping kids not to suffer the way I did.”
The Early Days of Project Canaan
Denis remembers when Project Canaan was little more than a construction site and a dream. “There was only one building when we arrived—the FMB building (Farm Manager Building)—and it wasn’t even finished. We were the first people here. We lived on-site and worked together to slash the bush, collect stones, and begin laying the foundation for the project. It was hard, but it was good work.”
Convincing others to join wasn’t easy. “People didn’t want to come to the bush,” he laughs. “We had to go into the communities and invite them, even plead with them: ‘Come, help us build something important.’ Now, it’s grown so much.”
Leadership and Mentorship
Today, Denis oversees a team of 48 staff members, supported by two supervisors and four team leaders. His department is responsible for plumbing, landscaping, construction, building maintenance, and even irrigation.
But Denis doesn’t just delegate. He mentors.
“In the beginning, it was ‘Denis, come fix this, Denis, do that.’ But I have trained many of the guys. Some didn’t even know how to hold a blade when they started. Now, they can fix broken pipes, doors, furniture—everything. That is what makes me happy. To see others grow.”
His philosophy is simple but effective: equip others so the work doesn’t stop when one person is gone. “If only one person knows how to do something, what happens if they leave? I want ten people who can do what I do, or even better.”
Challenges and Growth
As a Kenyan in Eswatini, Denis has faced cultural and communication challenges. “It was difficult in the beginning,” he says. “The work culture was different. I had to earn people’s respect, and I had to adjust. But I also learned Siswati. I speak five languages now. That helped build trust.”
One of the most difficult parts of the job has been shifting mindsets. “Some people just wanted to clock in and go home. But I taught them: have a plan for your day, set goals, finish what you start. We are building something that matters.”
Denis admits that when things aren’t running smoothly, he can’t sleep. “If we don’t finish the work today, it delays tomorrow. I don’t like repeating problems. I want progress.”
A Vision for the Future
As Project Canaan continues to grow—expanding schools, housing more children, and increasing staff—the demands on Denis’s team are increasing. One of his biggest needs? Mobility.
“We only have two cars for our whole team. Sometimes, if a part is needed on the children’s campus, they have to stop work and come find me. If we had even two gators (small utility vehicles), our team leaders could move quickly and fix things fast. That would save time, reduce costs, and help us grow.”
Denis believes in efficiency not for its own sake, but because time matters when you’re caring for hundreds of children. “We don’t want to wait to fix something important. That time could be used to help the children.”
Family, Faith, and the Road Ahead
Despite the distance, Denis remains closely connected to his family in Kenya. His oldest daughter is finishing high school, and he dreams of the day his family can join him in Eswatini.
“Maybe one day my daughters will come serve here too,” he says. “I’ve already spoken to Mr. Ian about that.”
He ends every workday with gratitude and begins every one with prayer. “I always pray that God gives us what we need to do this work. Machines, tools, transport. But most of all, wisdom and strength.”
To Denis, Project Canaan isn’t just a workplace. It’s a calling. A place where healing meets hard work. Where children find a home. And where leaders like Denis Musyoka give their lives to building something that will last generations.