Project Canaan without Ian & Janine
Warm greetings to all from Project Canaan (it is very warm!!! around 93°F).
Ian & Janine departed Project Canaan on January 29th to become proud grandparents! Congratulations to their son Spencer & daughter-in-law Jane! They also were able to help pack their daughter Chloe off to Dubai – this all as they hit the ground running in the US!
This sabbatical obviously did not just suddenly happen. I would guess that there were many months of prayer and preparation for the possibility of this happening.
Previously it was not even a vague consideration as Project Canaan was heavily dependent upon both Ian & Janine.
Around 2019 – 2020 they came to realize the need for senior leadership positions to support their roles and to reduce the number of growing demands on them.
Then COVID struck! Plan on hold.
2021 came along and this plan resurfaced. In early 2022, I was appointed in Operations, essentially to reduce Ian’s work load. This was followed by the hiring of Kudakwashe (Kuda), our Director of Finance in Eswatini. Arthur Chawawa was also engaged as the IT Specialist to deal with the challenges experienced, to improve the IT infrastructure and introduce control mechanisms.
In 2023, Dudley was engaged to run the Kitchen Operation. His responsibilities have recently been extended to Procurement and from this month Transport will fall under his management.
Cynthia, the Office Administrator, who has served Project Canaan since 2015 runs the main office and whatever comes her way. Her prime focus in 2024 is to take the Human Resources Department from good to great.
In October 2023, Ian & Janine called a meeting with Kuda, Arthur, Cynthia and myself to inform us of their planned three-month sabbatical. We were also tasked with formulating the Project Canaan goals for 2024 for presentation to them for approval. We extended the Leadership Team to include Dudley and presented the goals and the various mechanisms to be able to measure and assess the progress of the set goals. Both Ian and Janine were very happy with what was presented and I believe this was a test to see if the Team could come up with the goods.
It was at this time I think that they became comfortable with going on their sabbatical and many meetings were held, hand overs done as well as promotions into positions of greater responsibility.
In mid January of 2024 Ian, Janine and the Project Canaan Leadership Team (PCLT) met with all the departments where we were introduced to them. We each had to explain our roles. This was also when Ian and Janine informed everybody of their imminent sabbatical.
The Project Canaan Goals for 2024 – The Year of Accountability – were shared with the heads of departments (HOD’s), supervisors and staff with the assurance that further explanations and guidance would be provided in due course.
Early in February 2024, the 1st HOD’s meeting was held and the PCLT and HOD’s presented their goals, ensuring that they are in line with the overall objectives of PC.
G – Greatness. Move from Good to Great.
0 – Ownership. Take ownership & be Accountable.
D – Dedication. Carry through to the End.
To assist HOD’s and Supervisors to set the goals we adopted the S M A R T principle.
Goals must be:
S – Specific
M – Measurable
A – Achievable
R – Relevant
T- Timed
On Friday, March 8th, we had our 2nd HOD’s meeting for their first report back on the goals set in February. The PCLT was very impressed with how the team was embracing this new way of going about our business & we are very confident for the year ahead as long as we stick to the GOD principle.
We have also had Janice Johnson, long-time friend of the Maxwells and volunteer, here working together with Cynthia and the HR team to facilitate the rolling out of their plans for 2024. Janice with her wealth of experience is guiding and mentoring the newly appointed HOD’s and supervisors to aspire to greatness and know what is required to be good leaders, one step at a time. Thank you, Janice, for your long commitment to and passion for PC.
Everything has not been plain sailing; we have had a number of challenges and I pay tribute to the PCLT for their input, wisdom and discernment in making a number of decisions and dealing with some sensitive issues. The Lord said that serving will not be easy but He also promised He will be there for us.
So, have we missed Ian & Janine?
Of course we have – they are Babe & Make to over 400 children and many of the staff members.
This sabbatical, is an absolute necessity for them. Twelve years without much time off. It does not matter how passionate you are and how much love you have for what you do, eventually the tank is empty. This is a time for recharging the batteries and looking back on the miracle at Project Canaan orchestrated by the Lord, conducted by Ian & Janine and assisted by many people. A time to look to the future and do the strategic planning for Project Canaan going forward in the next 3 – 5 years.
Moving from Good to Great
Thabile Nxumalo is working in the Children’s Home. She has been working with the children for 8 years. She started as a night shift care giver, then a day shift care giver. Because of her commitment to her work, she was promoted to Supervisor of the Toddler Home. In 2021 she was promoted to Senior Supervisor level and in January 2024 she was again promoted to be Manager in training for the Girls’ Houses and Jabula.
Bongiwe Tfwala has been working at the Baby Home for 4 years. She started as a caregiver and now she is one of the leading caregivers. She is very good working with the babies. She always notices if a baby is not well and makes sure to write down notes whenever she takes a baby to the clinic. When a baby is admitted in hospital she always updates without being reminded. She reports anything that needs to be maintained in the Baby Home and also follows up with her Supervisor if the Maintenance Team are aware of the problem and it has not been attended to.
We are all growing from day to day, and upon Ian & Janine’s return we pray that they will be comfortable to allow the Leadership Team, HOD’s and Supervisors to continue looking after PC while they assume their roles of CEO and COO respectively.
All the Glory goes to our Heavenly Father, lest we should boast.
Kevin Connor, Project Canaan – Operations
