Project Canaan Green Bean Picker delivers baby on the side of the road

Yesterday was a typical day in Swaziland.   It’s incredible how so many human emotions can be felt in one day, always leaving you emotionally exhausted.  Yesterday was just another one of those days.

It started scary.  Ian and I were having breakfast when I suddenly choked on a piece of toast.  There was no air going in to my lungs and we looked at each other in a panic. He asked me if I was okay and I shook my head “no”. He asked if I needed help and I nodded, unable to get an ounce of air in to my lungs.  Ian quickly starting doing the Heimlich maneuver and after 6 or 7 tries finally dislodged the bread.  It took me at least 10 minutes of terrible coughing to get to a place of normal breathing, and I was left with a splitting headache (even as I type this a day later).  I am thankful to be alive and thankful that Ian was there and knew what to do.

Shortly after that I got a call from Brooke saying that a woman from the farm had just given birth and the newborn was tiny, alive and at the El Rofi Medical Clinic. What??  I jumped on an ATV, flew down to the baby home to pick up clothes, diapers, blankets etc, and then proceeded (at the speed of light) to the clinic.

Sure enough, there was a brand spankin’ new baby boy weighing 2.46 KG (5.4 lbs – which is a good sized baby here).  The mother was working picking green beans on the farm on a very hot sunny day.  She was dizzy and thirsty so went to her Supervisor for some water.  The Supervisor sent her to the medical clinic located about one mile from where she was picking.  As she walked along the new Living Water Dam when she had to stop because a baby was coming out.  She delivered the baby on to the dirt (alone), wrapped the baby in the skirt that she had wrapped around her pants/trousers then delivered the placenta.  She found a hole in the ground and dumped the placenta in the hole, then proceeded to walk to the clinic.

As she passed the Kufundza Carpentry center one of the workers (named Fortunate) saw the woman and came out to help her. She carried the baby while the two made their way to the clinic.  When she arrived Brooke and Sister Grace were there. Grace pointed at the wet child wrapped in a skirt and said, “What is that?? Is that a baby?!”  The answer was yes.  The mother thought she was only 3-months pregnant.  Nope, she was wrong.

Beth Blaisdell also just happened to be giving a tour of the clinic to Ali and MacKensie from Cox-Curry who are visiting from Georgia.  It’s always fun to have outside “witnesses” to the crazy things that happen here. 

Brooke carefully wiped the dirt off the baby and clamped the umbilical cord, weighed him and then called me.  The calmness and professionalism that Brooke ALWAYS exudes, never ceases to amaze me.  She is a rock star.

The mother went and washed while we all looked at the baby.  I congratulated her, called Ken to drive her to home and then realized I was almost late for my next appointment.

I hopped back on my ATV and flew up to the Project Canaan Academy Primary School where the foundation was being poured.   Our wonderful friends at WLA (Women Leaders in Action) provided the funds to get the Primary School underway and we were honored to have the founder of WLA, Pam Joseph, here for the laying of the foundation.  WLA also funded the Preschool and Kindergarten buildings.

We had Head teacher, Amber VanWinkle, along with the children who are currently in the Kindergarten class, all present for the big event.  They all got to put their hands in the wet cement and then write their names on the first classroom floor.  Next we moved them to a separate piece of wet concrete where the first 3 students who will attend Primary School placed their right hand in the concrete.  Amber, Pam and Ian followed and that piece will be designed in to the wall or walkway of the Primary School.

From there Ian and I made a quick drive in to town to buy 5 buckets of KFC and 66 chicken strips for the Emseni kids and all the Children’s Campus staff, a treat for all thanks to Pam.  The chicken was delivered, the big kids settled in with our guests for movie night  at The Oasis and Ian and I came home, closed the gates, turned on the electric fencing, let out the dogs and crashed on the couch.

Live from Swaziland … every day is a gift from God.

Janine

Does God care about the holes in the bottom of her shoes?

The People Mover

For four years everyone had to walk to work at Project Canaan.  It took some people as short as 2 hours and some as long as 2.5 hours.  When they tried cutting across neighbors properties they were threatened with bush knives, guns and even had threats of death if they trespassed again, and so they walked the long route.

In the winter (May – August) the sun comes up at 6AM and goes down at 5:30PM so the walk to be at work at 7AM and leave at 4PM is mostly done in the dark.   The roads coming to Project Canaan are not safe for women walking alone and not safe to anyone walking in the dark, but still, they walked to and from work because they were employed in a country where there is as high as a 70% unemployment rate.

One day in 2013 a group of women from an organization called WLA within the US Bank came to visit us and they saw the people walking to and from work.  They met a 62-year old Grandmother named Mona Lisa and learned that she not only walked 5-hours each day, but then cared for 8 Grandchildren when she got home. Within a few months these amazing women raised funds for us to buy a big open truck that we call the “People Mover”. 

From 2013 the “People mover” traveled 107 miles per day, making three trips each way to both of our local communities, transporting 280 people to and from work.  It was life-changing providing an extra 5-hours every day for them to help their children with homework, prepare meals and provide protection.

But then it stopped. It broke down.  The harsh roads and heavy loads caused the broken clutch power cylinder, oil slinger and oil seal it has been down for several weeks, while we await one of the parts that is being sent from JAPAN so that it can be fixed.

The people are walking to and from work again and we pray for their safety every day. 

But here is a REALLY cool part of the story.

Last Friday morning one of the Aunties went to Helen and showed her the holes in the bottom of her shoes that were now being worn down during the long walks.  She shared how tired she was when she got home to her seven children after looking after children all day.  Helen looked at her and told her that the 5-hour walk to and from work was a wonderful time for her to be praying for the babies at Project Canaan, praying for all the people who work here and, while she’s at it, pray for a new pair of shoes.

God does care about the hole in your shoes Gcebile.

On the following Monday morning Teri and Morgan McClure arrived at Project Canaan and the first question Teri asked Helen was if she would be able to buy each of the Aunties a new pair of shoes to bless them. They didn’t know the People Mover was not working, they hadn’t seen the holes in that Aunties’ shoes, but she felt prompted to go and buy them all shoes!  

Thank you Teri and Morgan from Gugu and all 51 Caregivers who received shoes.

Khosie and Mcebo with their new shoes.

Helen squealed with delight, as only Helen can do, and she clapped her hands and said, “That is GOD!  It is God who is providing shoes to the Aunties who are caring for His children.” 

Yes, He is our provider, and gives each of us the opportunity to be used by Him, for His glory. 

Thank you Helen for always pointing people to Him.  Thank you Teri, Morgan and ALL the people who bring the perfect gifts at the perfect time.  May the Lord continue to bless you in a mighty way.

Live from Swaziland … praying for protection for our workers and our People Mover to be fixed soon!

Janine

June 16th is The International Day of the African Child

“The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on June 16 every year since 1991, when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity. It honors those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976 on that day. It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.  In Soweto, South Africa, on June 16, 1976, about ten thousand black school children marched in a column more than half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their right to be taught in their own language. Hundreds of young students were shot, the most famous of which being Hector Peterson (see image). More than a hundred people were killed in the protests of the following two weeks, and more than a thousand were injured.”  (Source Wikepedia)

Today, I had the privilege of attending the beginning of The International Day of the African Child events being held in Swaziland.  There were 700+ children from eight different Children’s Homes who gathered together to celebrate education and life through song, stories, skits and dance.  Of course our children are still too young to be doing any performance, but I took the opportunity to share with the children in attendance about who El Roi (the God Who Sees) really is and how He has a plan for each of their lives.  It was also decided that I should bring Baby Deborah with me (affectionately known as Baby Debs) to show a real live example of how God really does see things that people may not want seen.

If you have not read Deborah’s story please go to http://janinemaxwell.blogspot.com/2013/02/its-tuesday-night-newborn-dumped-baby.html so that you know who she is.  Needless to say, she “performed” beautifully while sitting on my lap, and just smiled at the audience as they gasped at the horror of her story.  Sadly, each and every child sitting in that room has a story equally horrific to Deborah’s, but there we were, gathered together to celebrate the African child and all of the tragic stories that come with them.  In spite of it all, there was joy in the room and the presence of God was with us.

The problems on this continent are vast and complicated.  Poverty affects the issue of hunger.  Hunger drives people to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do morally and sexually.  Poor moral and sexual choices bring many layers of health issues and death. Death creates orphans and vulnerable children who are living in poverty and hungry. And the circle begins again.

Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”  So many African children have no chance at an education at all (let alone a GOOD education) so they are forced to turn to other weapons that will kill and destroy - weapons like “hopelessness”. 

As I watched the older children perform today I was thankful for all the people who have supported the other Children’s Homes in Swaziland and on the continent of Africa.  Without international support these homes would not exist and these children would not be breaking the cycle of poverty.

I also became overwhelmed with gratitude to the women from the US Bank who raised the funds to build the Sisekelo Preschool and who are committed to educating children in Swaziland and in Kenya. They understand the importance of education and how it can change the future of a nation, a continent and our Global Village.  They have busy lives and serve in high-level jobs, but they are 100% committed to hosting golf tournaments, selling jewelry or hosting dinner parties to raise awareness and the funds needed to make a difference.  I am grateful to Pam Joseph, Beth Blaisdell and the amazing women at WLA. Thank you friends.

I am a huge Michael Jackson fan and I was listening to his song “Man in the Mirror” the other day. I love the line that says, “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”  RIP Michael, but may those words of truth live on.  Today I will look in the mirror and make another change, and tomorrow I hope to do the same.  What about you?

As those of us living in Africa count down the next seven days to week to June 16^th to the celebration of The International Day of the African Child, I hope that you will be thinking about these children too.  It may not typically be a day that is celebrated where you live, but it could be this year.

Live from Swaziland … heading to the mirror.

Janine

Hello Las Vegas? This is Swaziland calling.

It was 2:30AM in Las Vegas (which was 5:30AM in Georgia and 11:30 in Swaziland) when my iPhone rang.  I had it plugged in only to use the alarm to wake me in the morning. It never occurred to me that someone could reach me on it while I was in the United States because it is a Swaziland SIM/phone.

I left Swaziland on Saturday morning, drove to Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday night, arrived in Atlanta, Georgia on Monday morning then flew on to Las Vegas, Nevada arriving around 1PM at the Mandalay Bay hotel.  Mandalay Bay has 3,309 hotel rooms and an average of 2,000 people checking in and 2,000 people checking out EVERY DAY.  It is a beautiful and monstrous building that is designed to have people spend as much money on leisure, entertainment, eating, drinking and gambling as is humanly possible in the few days that each visitor stays there.  Oxygen is pumped in at an alarming rate to keep you alert and awake and there are no windows to the outside in the entertainment areas so you don't know if it night or day.  It is an experience of a lifetime and one that is not easily forgotten.

The Famous Las Vegas Strip.

When the phone rang I was sound a sleep in a very comfortable King Size bed with a window that looks at the full length of the famous “Las Vegas Strip”.  I have a flat screen TV, full mini-bar, large bathroom with double sink, shower and large bathtub, all made of marble of course, and I am staying there FOR FREE as a guest of John Bardis and the wonderful people of MedAssets.  Several years ago Ian and I were honored to be given the first Dr. Norman Borlaug Humanitarian of the Year award, and we are now invited back each year to celebrate with the new recipient of the award.  We are given a beautiful hotel room, invited to a fabulous meal at the famous Aureole restaurant with Dr. Borlaug’s family (Daughter Jeannie Borlaug Laube and Grand-daughter Jennifer Borlaug Marsh) and get to enjoy meeting many of the 4,000+ attendees of the Healthcare Business Summit.  We have a table set up and can share what is happening at Project Canaan and the El Roi baby home and we have gained much support from people we have met over the past five years in attendance.

In fact, we have met several of our Board members through this annual conference, including Sandra Green, Tom Finucane and Ned Lehman, and are thankful for all the friends who continue to support us as a result of the MedAssets partnership.

Board members Sandra Green and Tom Finucane.

Back to my 2:30 AM phone call.

The phone rang and I was in a dead sleep.  I fumbled around and wasn’t quite sure where the noise was coming from, but eventually rose to the surface of my slumber just in time to answer the phone before the caller gave up.

“Hello?”

“Hello Sisi?  Janine, is that you?”

“Yes, its me, who is this??”

“Its XXXX (NAME HELD FOR PRIVACY) from the XXX hospital in Swaziland. I need your help. I have a bad situation.”

By this point I had sat up and turned on my light to try to ascertain where on earth I was.  I was jetlagged and my body was still somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean. I actually was quite shocked to have a sweet Swazi voice in my ear and then see the opulence of my surroundings when I turned on the light.  Oh my gosh, how could I ever tell her I was in Las Vegas (of all places!).

She continued, “There is a new baby born on Saturday morning and there is a bad situation. Will you come and get the baby?!”

AHHHHH!!!  I am in LAS VEGAS – literally 10,300 miles away from Swaziland. 

It was funny. I had an immediate moment of shame and guilt that I was where I was and she was where she was.  She was doing her job and I was gallivanting in Las Vegas.

But then a gentle voice came to me and assured me that was false guilt.  She was doing her job in Swaziland, and I was doing my job in Las Vegas.  I was reminded that without the word being spread and without people knowing about the plight of abandoned children in Swaziland that people wouldn’t have the opportunity to pray for the babies or give financially to support them.  Sigh.  I knew that was truth.

I told my sweet sister that I was not in the country, but that she could call the office and speak with Shirley or she had Ian’s number and either of them could go and help straight away.  Then she asked the question I had hoped to avoid. She asked where I was?  I am not gonna lie, while I knew that I was where the Lord wanted to me, I just couldn’t bring my self to say,  “Las Vegas Baby!!” and so I told her I was out of the country and that I would be home in a few short weeks, which is absolutely true.

It was a short call.  No clue what it cost, but it was a huge gift to me.  I loved hearing that Swazi voice so far away from me, I loved that the calls are still coming and babies are still being saved and I loved knowing that I didn’t have to be there in person for that baby to find his way home to El Roi.  I am so very thankful for Shirley and Ian and Helen and the whole team at El Roi who seek out, welcome and love each and every baby who is chosen to come and live with us.  

I am on a 22-day Speaking Adventure and today I am on Day 7, which finds me in Dalhart, Texas (about an hour from Amarillo, Texas).  I am honored to be invited here by my friend Shelly Harp and look forward to an amazing weekend of sharing, laughing, selling jewelry and celebrating all that God has done for us at Project Canaan.

On Monday I head to Georgia to reconnect with Chloe (who has been on Spring Break with one of her best friends for the past week) and join up for a couple of days with the amazing women at the US Bank and WLA (Women Leaders in Action).   I get to see my friends at Womenetics as they film a story of how WLA, UPS and Heart for Africa all came to work together for the children of Swaziland.  It is a great story to tell and I will be sure to post the link in a future blog once the video is complete.   Then I speak at Emory University on Thursday and after that Chloe and I head straight down to Florida State University to see Spencer perform multiple shows in the “High Flying Circus”.  I miss my son desperately and look forward to three days with both of my children together.  YIPPPE!!!!

Tumbleweeds are blowing in Texas - just like in the movies!

I started to type that I wish I were in Swaziland right now, but then stopped and deleted that sentence.  I don’t wish I were there, but rather I am glad I am here, right were I am supposed to be. I am thankful for all the invitations to come and share the story of Project Canaan. I am thankful for all the planning that my assistant Tricia did to make the plan work from coast to coast and north to south. But mostly I am excited to see what the Lord has in store for the next 15 days.  I feel like it is Christmas morning and there are many gifts under the tree to be opened.  Every one is a surprise and look forward to seeing what He has wrapped up for us all.

Live from Texas … the tumbleweeds are blowing!

Janine

PS – the baby is not at El Roi yet.  The paperwork is being completed with the Social Welfare department and we expect our little baby boy next week.  Stay tuned!

Update photo of the new Toddler home (left) and preschool (back center).