Contact Us
Contact Us

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who we are (Our Mission)

Project Canaan is a 1,000-hectare land development project in Eswatini, Africa, dedicated to bringing hope by addressing hunger, caring for orphans, reducing poverty, and providing education.

Project Canaan was founded over a decade ago as part of Heart for Africa’s mission to create sustainable solutions for the challenges facing Eswatini.

Hundreds of children call Project Canaan home. Every few weeks, new children are placed with us, and we have made a lifelong commitment to care for them until they finish high school.

Children at Project Canaan are given a safe home, loving care, nutritious food, healthcare, and education. Each child grows up in a family-style setting where they can thrive and reach their potential.

More than 400 people are employed at Project Canaan. These jobs span across childcare, farming, construction, artisan work, and other trades — providing income and stability for hundreds of families.

Our farm includes dairy cows, crop production, a chicken farm, and greenhouses — including a specialty project growing vanilla. These initiatives feed our children and staff and create employment opportunities.

We have a mechanic shop, woodworking centre, and artisan workshops like Khutsala Artisans, where handmade goods are crafted and sold to help fund our mission and provide jobs.

Unlike many charitable projects, Project Canaan combines orphan care with food production, education, healthcare, job creation, and sustainability. This holistic approach allows us to address root causes of poverty while caring for children in need.

Yes. Project Canaan is owned and operated by Heart for Africa, a registered charity in both the United States and Canada. Together, we share the same mission of bringing hope through practical and sustainable solutions.

Our vision is for Project Canaan to become a self-sustaining community where children are raised with love and education, food is grown locally, jobs are created, and hope is shared with the people of Eswatini for generations to come.

Eswatini is a country with rich culture, strong faith, and resilient people. Many families live in rural areas, and there are significant challenges such as high unemployment and limited access to stable work. Project Canaan serves as a community hub — providing jobs, education, care for children, and sustainable food production — to help meet those challenges.

The unemployment rate in Eswatini has been extremely high (around 34-35% of the labour force in recent years), meaning many people are out of work and struggle to support their families. High unemployment increases vulnerability and poverty, which makes employment and skills training at Project Canaan especially important.

Project Canaan employs over 400 local Swazi men and women across its children’s home, farm, artisan centres, mechanic shop, woodworking, chicken and dairy farming, and other areas. Because many of our staff support their households, each job often benefits several family members — meaning thousands of lives are positively impacted through income, stability, and opportunity.

We offer a variety of work and training opportunities: dairy, agriculture, chicken farming, greenhouses (including a vanilla growing project), artisan crafts, woodworking, mechanics. Many team members gain new skills, which help them support their families and contribute to the community’s wellbeing.

Beyond providing jobs, we offer training, education, and stable work so families can provide for themselves. Having meaningful work gives people dignity, hope, and the ability to care for loved ones. This helps break cycles of poverty rather than simply providing one-time aid.

Project Canaan cares for hundreds of children who come to us at various times. We commit to caring for each child until they complete high school, ensuring their education, nutrition, safety, and future opportunities.

On average, a new child comes to live with us every 9-12 days. That means we are always planning to provide for new needs in housing, staff, food, schooling, and care.

Because many staff support multiple family members at home, employment at Project Canaan indirectly benefits many more in the community. For example, one employed person might provide for a household of 5-7, so our employment programmes reach far beyond just our immediate staff.

Through our farms (dairy, crops, greenhouses, chicken), Project Canaan produces food that feeds the children’s home and often contributes to local food needs. Producing food locally helps reduce dependency on expensive imports and increases access to healthier, fresher options.

Supporting Project Canaan’s workforce isn’t just about giving jobs — it’s about building long-term stability, restoring dignity, strengthening families, and creating ripple effects through the community. It means your support goes into systems that transform lives rather than just temporary assistance.

Visit

Yes. Project Canaan welcomes visitors who want to learn more about our work and see the impact firsthand. You can schedule a tour or experience by completing the inquiry form on this page.

The Full Project Canaan Tour is a half-day agrotourism experience. Guests will see our working farm, dairy, chicken project, greenhouses, artisan workshops, and other areas that make Project Canaan unique. It’s an inspiring way to see how food is grown, jobs are created, and lives are transformed.

Simply complete the inquiry form on this page. Let us know your interests and group size, and our team will contact you with scheduling details.

Individuals, families, groups, and organizations are welcome to visit Project Canaan. Whether you’re interested in agriculture, education, child care, or artisan work, there’s something meaningful to see and experience.

The Full Project Canaan Tour takes about half a day. If you add the Vanilla Experience or other custom activities, your visit may be longer. We’ll work with you to plan your schedule.

While our children’s homes are private for safety, visitors will learn about how we care for children and may see areas where the children learn, play, and thrive.

Yes. We provide a secure and welcoming environment for all visitors. Our team will guide you throughout your visit.

Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended, as much of the tour is outdoors. You may also want to bring a hat, sunscreen, or a water bottle.

Yes. We often host school groups, church teams, and organizations. Experiences can be tailored to your interests, whether that’s agriculture, sustainability, or humanitarian work.

A visit offers a unique look at how faith, compassion, and innovation come together to address hunger, orphan care, poverty, and education. It’s an unforgettable experience that leaves visitors inspired and hopeful.

Project Canaan offers a variety of volunteer roles. These include short-term stays (a few days to several weeks) and long-term placements. Opportunities range from general help (farm work, building, gardening, animal care) to roles for those with specialized skills such as doctors, engineers, mechanics, or artisan teachers.

Volunteers of nearly all backgrounds are welcome. Whether you’re a student, professional, retiree — or have specialized skills — there is a place for you. If you’re a doctor, engineer, teacher, mechanic or other specialist, your skills can be especially impactful.

We offer flexible time frames. Some volunteers come for short periods (e.g. one-week or two-week service experiences), while others commit to longer stays (several months or more). What matters most is your commitment to serve during the time you choose.

Yes. If you are a doctor, engineer, teacher, or have other specialised skills, we encourage you to lead or contribute in those areas. For example, medical professionals may assist in clinics, engineers help maintain or improve infrastructure, and teachers or artisans may train local staff or older children.

Basic orientation is required so you understand our programs, culture, safety protocols, and expectations while serving. For specialized roles (medical, engineering, etc.), relevant qualifications, experience, or certifications may be needed and should be shared beforehand.

Yes. Because of safety, supervision, and logistic concerns, we usually require volunteers to be over a certain age (often 18) for independent service. Younger volunteers under that age may be able to participate if accompanied and with parental consent, depending on the project.

You can apply by filling out our volunteer inquiry form. Let us know your availability, skills, and interests. We will follow up with orientation materials, expectations, and schedule options.

Yes. We require that all volunteers have adequate travel or health insurance covering emergencies, medical care, and evacuation if needed. It’s also wise to check what your personal health insurance covers for overseas work.

Your safety is very important to us. Project Canaan provides safe lodging, orientation, local guides, and ensures appropriate safety measures. We work to maintain a secure environment for all volunteers and staff.

Volunteers play a vital role. They help us meet ongoing needs—improving infrastructure, increasing food production, training others, caring for children, and sharing their skills. Their contribution supports sustainability, community empowerment, and greater opportunities for children and families.

Absolutely. Many volunteers begin with short term involvement, then return for longer commitments. We welcome ongoing relationships with volunteers who share our vision and want to serve over time.

Yes. Part of volunteering here is learning. You will receive orientation, hear stories of those who call Project Canaan home, engage with local staff, and see firsthand how programs of education, sustainability, orphan care and job creation come together in our daily work.

Hunger

We Grow Food

Local food production is crucial because Eswatini faces high levels of food insecurity — over 16-20% of the population are in food crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) at various times of year. Producing food locally helps reduce the country’s dependence on imports, improves food availability, and builds resilience against climate shocks.

We run a variety of agricultural initiatives: crop farms, greenhouses (including a vanilla project), chicken egg barns, dairy farms, and a dairy herd. These contribute to both feeding our children’s home and creating income and employment for the community.

Our dairy farm provides fresh milk for children and staff, offers training and jobs, and helps us reduce cost by producing what we need rather than importing. Given that Eswatini produces only about 20 million cubic litres of milk annually while demand is much higher (around 84 million cubic litres), every local dairy effort helps close that gap.

The egg barn raises hens for egg production. The eggs are used to feed children, staff, and are sometimes used within the wider community or for small scale sales. This supports nutrition, especially protein intake, and provides a steady stream of income and food security.

Yes. We aim to practice sustainable agriculture by using greenhouses, efficient feed systems for our dairy, careful pasture management, and locally appropriate farming techniques. These help us adapt to erratic weather, drought conditions, and other environmental challenges in Eswatini.

A significant portion of what we grow is consumed directly by the children’s home and staff (milk, eggs, vegetables). Surpluses from crops or livestock projects are used either for community feeding programs or to help sustain our operations.

Key challenges include droughts, unpredictable rainfall, high feed costs, and infrastructure limitations. We counter these by using greenhouses, maintaining dairy infrastructure carefully, choosing crops suited to local climate, and training our team in best practices.

Project Canaan employs many local staff across agriculture, dairy, chicken farms, greenhouses, and other food-related initiatives. These jobs are vital in providing stable income and helping reduce local unemployment and poverty.

Eswatini’s food insecurity is worsened by frequent droughts and climate change. By producing milk, eggs, and crops locally, Project Canaan directly contributes to lowering food insecurity; feeding children and staff reduces strain on household food resources; and employment in agriculture helps reduce the number of people relying entirely on external aid.

Yes. On Full Project Canaan Tours and during special visits, guests are taken through our farms (dairy, chicken, crops, greenhouses) so they can see how food is grown, animals cared for, and agricultural sustainability in action.

We Give Food

The feeding program is an initiative led from Project Canaan that provides nutritious food to children, employees, vulnerable families, orphaned or vulnerable children, and partner churches in rural communities across Eswatini. The program distributes produce, eggs, MannaPack™ meals, oats, and other healthy food items to meet both immediate and ongoing needs.

Beneficiaries include the children living at Project Canaan, employees who often support large extended families, more than 4,000 orphans and vulnerable children through church partner networks, communities surrounding Project Canaan, and families identified as needy in nearby homesteads.

MannaPack™ meals are a nutritionally fortified dry meal product provided through partners like Feed My Starving Children. They are used in our feeding program especially in church partner sites, helping children and families who are at risk of malnutrition.

Through our network of 30 church partners, we serve about 4,500 orphans and vulnerable children daily. The feeding schedule has expanded from two days per week to seven days a week in many partner sites.

We work with church partners in the poorest and most rural regions of the Kingdom. These partner churches are chosen based on need, ability to distribute meals, and their proximity to vulnerable populations. Homestead visits and assessments help us identify households and families most in need.

The feeding program supplies a mix of dry, fortified meal packages (MannaPack™), eggs (often hard-boiled), oats, beans, dried vegetables, and produce from our farms when available. These foods are selected to ensure balanced nutrition, especially protein and micronutrients.

By providing regular, nutritious meals, our feeding programs help prevent malnutrition, support healthy growth and development, improve concentration in school, and help reduce illness. When children’s nutritional needs are met, they can thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Yes. Many Project Canaan employees receive food support. Because some are sole providers or have very large households, the feeding help extends beyond just the individual to their family. We also provide special support (such as MannaPack™) to employees in especially needy situations.

We use mobile food deliveries, partner through churches, and do homestead outreach. There is a Heart for Africa truck that helps deliver food supplies to partner churches and rural areas.

Donor support enables us to purchase or receive donated food items, hire and equip local cooks in partner churches, build cooking structures, and cover logistics such as transport and food storage. Because of partnerships with organisations like Feed My Starving Children and Egg Farmers of Canada, donations often go further.

Hundreds of children call Project Canaan home, and new children arrive regularly. Each child is welcomed into a safe, nurturing environment where they will be cared for until they finish high school.

Children grow up in family-style homes with loving caregivers who provide structure, stability, and affection. Our goal is to create a sense of belonging and dignity for every child.

Beyond basic needs, we provide opportunities to enrich childhood — such as a swimming pool, playgrounds, sports, creative activities, and special celebrations — so every child has the chance to experience joy and a full childhood.

Education is a central part of our mission. Children attend schools at Project Canaan where they receive quality instruction, learn in safe classrooms, and gain skills to prepare them for the future.

Every child has access to nutritious meals, clean water, medical care, and a safe environment. We prioritize their physical, emotional, and spiritual health so they can thrive.

We have promised to care for each child until they graduate from high school, ensuring they are supported throughout their formative years.

Yes. Play and recreation are part of daily life, but we also teach life skills such as gardening, animal care, cooking, and teamwork, helping prepare children for independence.

As children grow older, we provide vocational training and skills development in areas such as agriculture, mechanics, artisan crafts, and other trades. This equips them for employment opportunities after graduation.

Yes. As they grow, children are gradually introduced to the farm, workshops, and artisan programs, so they learn how Project Canaan operates and gain valuable exposure to real-world experiences.

Unlike many institutions, we provide long-term, family-style care combined with education, enrichment, and skills training. Our goal is not just to raise children, but to prepare young adults to thrive, contribute, and build a better future for Eswatini.

Eswatini’s overall unemployment rate is very high, around 34-35% of the labour force as of 2024. For youth aged 15-24, unemployment can be even higher. This means many families lack stable incomes, which increases vulnerability to poverty. Creating local, dependable employment at Project Canaan helps people move from uncertainty toward sustainability.

Project Canaan employs over 400 people across many different projects. These jobs include roles in agriculture (dairy, chicken, crop farming, greenhouses), artisan crafts (woodworking, handmade goods), mechanical work, vanilla processing, and other support roles. Many of these jobs are vital for families who depend on them.

Employees gain both technical and life skills. Some learn farming techniques, animal husbandry, dairy operation, greenhouse management, mechanical and woodworking trades, artisanal skillsets, and project maintenance. These skills improve their ability to earn, support families, and participate in a changing job market.

Some positions at Project Canaan are permanent, especially in core operations like the children’s homes, farm maintenance, artisan centres, and processing facilities. Other roles are seasonal or aligned with harvest cycles, weather, or project- based needs, but many seasonal workers learn transferable skills that benefit them year-round.

Because many employees support family members, a single job often benefits several people. Jobs at Project Canaan reduce local unemployment, enable families to afford basics like food and healthcare, and generate income that circulates in the community. Additionally, having jobs locally reduces migration pressure and strengthens local economies.

Youth unemployment in Eswatini is particularly severe: for ages 15-24, rates are often above 50-58%. Project Canaan offers opportunities for young people to gain skills, work experience, and employment through both entry-level and training roles. This helps bridge the gap between unemployment and meaningful work.

Workers at Project Canaan earn wages that help cover their living expenses and, in many cases, support extended family. Reliable income helps lift households out of extreme poverty, improves food security, and allows access to better education and healthcare.

The team seeks to ensure that women have equal access to job opportunities. Many roles in farming, artisan workshops, and care programs involve women. Offering training, mentoring, and equitable hiring helps ensure women benefit fully from job creation.

We combine employment with sustainability: using environmentally sensitive farming practices, maintaining pastures and land carefully, incorporating greenhouses, and growing vanilla and other crops in ways that protect soil, conserve water, and promote biodiversity.

While charitable giving helps with immediate needs, creating jobs offers long-term stability. It empowers individuals and families, restores dignity, builds skills, and enables ongoing self-support. It is part of moving from relief toward transformation: sustainable livelihoods that reduce dependency.

We educate Children

Project Canaan Academy provides education from preschool through Grade 12. Our school has a Christ-centred learning environment and emphasises project-based learning, whole-child development (intellectual, social, emotional, physical, spiritual), and multiple ways children learn.

Most of our students are children living on Project Canaan; others are children from the surrounding community. All receive the same quality education, caring support, and opportunities.

Yes. The academy gained accreditation in 2018 through the Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa.

We use a hands-on, project-based approach. We also follow Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences theory, meaning we recognise that children learn differently and design assessments and learning experiences to reflect those different strengths.

We provide remedial support as needed, smaller class sizes where possible, and a caring educational environment that seeks to meet each child where they are. Our aim is to help children catch up and flourish, regardless of where they started.

We have several hundred students enrolled at Project Canaan Academy. As the children’s home population grows and more children arrive every 9-12 days on average, we continue to expand to meet educational needs.

Students begin in preschool (around age 3) and progress year by year through kindergarten, primary school, and secondary school (up to Grade 12).

Beyond standard coursework, students engage in arts, sports, life skills, leadership activities, creative projects, and other enrichment programs. This prepares them for well-rounded lives and helps build confidence, character, and community.

The goal is that every child who finishes high school will be well prepared—academically, socially, and spiritually—to pursue post-secondary education, vocational training, or meaningful employment. We aim to equip them to be solution-seekers and leaders in Eswatini.

Teachers are selected for their qualifications, commitment, and alignment with our values. We provide ongoing professional development, support, and training so teachers can grow in their skills and serve students well.

Education is one of our pillars. By offering quality schooling, remedial support, and enrichment, we prepare children to have greater employment opportunities, make healthier choices, and contribute positively in their communities. Education is a foundational tool in helping families and communities move from dependence into sustainable futures.

As we have been expanding our school grade by grade, we are planning for our first full high school graduation in the coming years (targeted around 2029).

You can help by sponsoring a child’s education, donating to support classroom construction or teacher training, or giving to cover essential needs such as textbooks, uniforms, or school supplies.

We educate Adults

Many adults in Eswatini have limited access to formal schooling or vocational training. By equipping adults with skills and knowledge, we help families move toward self-reliance and break the cycle of poverty.

Adults can learn practical skills such as farming, animal husbandry, woodworking, mechanics, construction, and artisan work. These skills not only provide steady employment but also create opportunities to start small businesses and support families.

Yes. Women are a vital part of our workforce and are trained in areas such as artisan crafts, greenhouse farming, and childcare. Offering women equal opportunities for training strengthens families and communities.

Khutsala Artisans is one of our vocational programs where adults are trained to make high-quality, handmade goods. These products are sold internationally, and proceeds help support Project Canaan’s mission while artisans earn steady incomes and develop creative skills.

In addition to vocational training, we provide general education such as literacy, numeracy, health education, and financial literacy. This helps adults build confidence, manage resources, and provide better for their families.

With unemployment rates in Eswatini as high as 34–35%, vocational training provides a pathway to stable jobs and reduces dependence on outside aid. Training equips adults with marketable skills, increasing their employability and improving economic stability in their households.

Hundreds of adults have been trained or employed across our vocational centres — from the mechanic shop and woodworking centre to the farms, dairy, and artisan workshops. Each adult trained impacts an entire household.

Yes. Many employees receive on-the-job training and ongoing mentorship to improve their skills. Whether it’s learning new farming techniques, leadership skills, or advanced artisan methods, continuous learning is encouraged.

Our goal is to create a generation of skilled, confident, and employed adults who can support their families, strengthen their communities, and reduce poverty in Eswatini. Educating adults has a ripple effect that benefits entire households and future generations.

Economic

Our goal is to make Project Canaan 100% economically self-sustainable by 2030. That means covering operational costs through revenue-generating projects rather than relying solely on donations.

We are expanding enterprises such as vanilla farming, dairy products, crop farming, Khutsala Artisans, Lusito Mechanic Shop, carpentry, and solar power production. These initiatives produce goods and services that generate income while also creating jobs.

Vanilla is a high-value crop. By growing and selling vanilla products internationally, Project Canaan expects to generate significant profits to help offset operating costs and fund care for children.

Our dairy operation produces milk and other products. A new food manufacturing facility will allow us to process items like mozzarella cheese, creating new revenue opportunities.

In 2025, revenue is projected to cover 36% of expenses. By 2029, we aim to reach 86%, and by 2030, we expect to achieve 108%, making Project Canaan self-sustainable.

The shop repairs vehicles and equipment for both Project Canaan and the community. It offsets our costs while generating profit through services and a training centre that provides mechanic certifications.

Solar energy reduces our electricity costs and allows us to sell excess power back to the national grid, creating both savings and revenue.

We use drip irrigation systems that reduce water use by up to 90% compared to traditional methods.

We use all aspects of our produce, from banana leaves to nearly expiring fruit, which can be turned into jams and other value-added products.

Since 2021, our solar panels have saved over 278,600 kg of CO2 emissions, while also providing reliable renewable energy.

Black diesel is created by filtering used car oil through a centrifuge. It powers our heavy farming equipment, reducing waste and fuel costs.

Manure from our cows and chickens is composted and used as natural fertilizer for fields, enriching the soil and supporting sustainable farming.

Crop rotation helps break pest and disease cycles, balancing nutrients and preserving soil health.

We have planted over 5,000 trees on the property, reducing erosion, improving biodiversity, and supporting long-term land health.

Social sustainability means investing in people. We empower children and adults through education, healthcare, and employment so they can break the cycle of poverty.

We work with communities around Project Canaan to offer support and job opportunities, while also raising the next generation of leaders through our Children’s Campus.

Education transforms lives. It empowers individuals, strengthens communities, and builds resilience for future generations.

Employment provides income, stability, and investment in local communities. Jobs created at Project Canaan benefit not just employees, but also their families and the broader economy.

Access to healthcare improves immediate wellbeing and creates ripple effects in long-term community development, supporting stronger, healthier families.