As we enter 2025, Project Canaan continues its journey of resilience, growth, and unwavering commitment. The past few weeks have brought challenges and milestones that highlight the heart of our mission. Here’s a look at the latest updates.
December 29th, 2024: Heavy Rains Cause Damage
The end of December brought heavy rains that had a noticeable impact on several areas at Project Canaan. The retainer wall at the Primary School and the Greenhouse suffered damage due to the downpour, and the spillway at Living Water Dam (Dam #3) was also affected. The rains were intense and reminded us of the ongoing need for maintenance and infrastructure resilience as we prepare for future weather challenges.
January 6th, 2025: A New Year Begins
The New Year kicked off with a sense of renewed energy as Project Canaan reopened on January 6th. All staff arrived for work, and we began planning for another year of service and growth. As always, the dedication of our team is a cornerstone of what makes Project Canaan such a special place.
January 7th – 16th, 2025: Bridge Flooded, Delaying Commute
On January 7th, heavy rain caused flooding that made the bridge impassable. For nine days, the bridge was blocked, preventing staff from crossing and continuing their work. This disruption caused significant challenges in maintaining normal operations, but by January 16th, the bus was able to cross again, and staff were able to resume their regular routines.
January 2025: Welcoming New Arrivals
In January, we welcomed five new children to our Project Canaan family, Mumu, Jethro, Salina, Mary Ann and Petra. With these additions, the number of children in our care reached 434. Every new child brings a sense of joy and hope to the community, and we are excited to provide them with a safe, nurturing environment as they grow.
January 17th, 2025: Bus Accident
In an unfortunate incident on January 17th, the Project Canaan Academy bus was involved in an accident while returning from dropping off staff. A backhoe ran into the bus, though it was not our driver’s fault. Fortunately, only the driver was in the bus and he was not hurt. Our dedicated staff, Sandile and Kobus, worked quickly to make the bus roadworthy again by the end of the day on January 20th. By Tuesday, the bus was back in action, taking the Grade 5 class on a field trip to Nelspruit, South Africa. While the bus is operational, further repairs, including the reinstallation of the storage box, are still needed.
January 18th, 2025: Loss in the Family
Sadly, on January 18th, we lost one of our beloved Uncles from E8. He was just 30 years old and had been unwell for a few days. Anthony drove him to the Luke Commission to be checked out. We learned he had a treatable thyroid condition, yet he was unable to get the medication and he passed away. His death is a painful reminder of the challenges faced by many in Eswatini, especially when it comes to access to healthcare.
January 20th, 2025: All Staff Meeting
On January 20th, we held an all-staff meeting where we reaffirmed our mission of serving the community of Eswatini. We took this time to explain the core values of Heart for Africa and reflect on why we do the work we do. During the meeting, we were treated to an unexpected visitor – a crocodile swam by, reminding us of the vibrant and sometimes unpredictable nature of life here.
January 21st, 2025: First Mozzarella Sale
A significant milestone occurred on January 21st, as we sold our first order of mozzarella cheese! A total of 40kg was sold at E120 per kilogram to Carlos at Pizzeria Vesuvio. This is just the beginning of our dairy initiative, and we’re excited about the potential for growth in this area.
January 21st – 24th, 2025: HACCP Training in White River
From January 21st to 24th, three of our team members – Maganda, Benson, and Nondoduso – traveled to White River, South Africa, to attend HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) training. This is an important step in fulfilling GlobalGap requirements, ensuring that our agricultural practices meet international food safety standards.
January 22nd, 2025: School Opens for 342 Children
On January 22nd, we officially opened our doors for the new school year. This year, we are starting with 342 children, with new Principal Busi leading the charge. We are thrilled to see the school thrive, and with the leadership of Principal Busi, we know it’s going to be a fantastic year for the students.
January 22nd, 2025: Lusito Training Center Applications Open
On January 22nd, we sent out the live link to apply to the Lusito Training Center. The center will accept 6 students for the first semester, and we’re excited to provide this opportunity for skills training and personal development.
January 22nd, 2025: Approved as a Vendor for Freshmart
In another exciting development, on January 22nd, Project Canaan was approved as a vendor for Freshmart, a major retailer that’s part of the Shoprite/Game group of companies. We are now able to sell our vegetables through their network, further expanding our reach and supporting our agricultural efforts. This is a significant milestone as Project Canaan continues to create new revenue streams and sell more valuable products.
As we reflect on these events, it’s clear that Project Canaan is continuing to grow and evolve, despite the challenges faced. The work that we do here is a testament to the resilience of our team and the community we serve. We are so grateful for the support of our partners, staff, and donors as we continue our mission of providing care, education, and opportunity to those who need it most. Here’s to a bright and hopeful 2025!