Heart for Africa Builds Sustainability for African Orphans

Across Africa millions live in the ravages of poverty and poor education. Numerous groups have taken the cause to improve the quality of life in Africa. Instead of a handout, organizations such as Heart for Africa work to give Africans a leg up.

Heart for Africa is a faith-based non-profit that collaborates with others to build self-sustainable homes for orphans and vulnerable children. Service trips allow anyone the opportunity to visit three countries in Africa - Kenya, Malawi and Swaziland.

The organization has taken over 3,500 people in nearly four years as part of the program. The main function of volunteers - individuals who pay their own way - is to help build homes and sustainable communities. No skills are necessary as individuals can help wherever or however they can.

Janine Maxwell, vice president of Heart for Africa, says the organization grew out of the Dream for Africa project, with two specific goals in mind.

"The first [goal] is to mobilize North Americans to travel to and serve in Africa and experience the depth of poverty so many live in," she says. "The second is to visit orphanages, or "homes" in Kenya and Swaziland and help residents achieve self-sustainability, while also serving and supporting the community surrounding the home."

The goal of self-sustainability reaches to developing business and relationships in Africa. The organization purchases all materials locally and its women's programs generate funds in the area. According to Maxwell profits from milk sales go directly to children for better nutrition and education, for example.

"Another example is How? Jewelry, a company that works with women to make African jewelry and giftware that is then brought to the U.S. to be sold," says Maxwell. "The women are paid for their work and all profits are donated to Heart for Africa to continue the work on the ground building more homes, training centers and workshops."

The organization has not experienced any significant roadblocks with African governments. Volunteers often return year after year to continue the work, as well as maintain the friendships they established says Maxwell.

Heart for Africa has three full-time staff members but each home has its own internal staff according to Maxwell. The organization relies heavily on the volunteers who purchase 11-day trips to Africa in order to serve. Heart for Africa places its volunteers into HOPE teams - Hunger, Orphans, Poverty and Education.

"Sustainability must be the goal for all projects, but must be achieved hand-in-hand with Africans," says Maxwell. "Only Africans can solve the issues in Africa, we are only there to assist."

The teams work side by side to develop sustainable community gardens, supply clothing, develop small business opportunities and provide AIDS and basic academic educations. The majority of the orphans lost their families to the AIDS epidemic in Africa.

Post-secondary education is still nothing more than a dream for many Africans. However, Heart for Africa has a scholarship fund as well as a skills training program to train for local trades.

For more information including how to be a part of a service trip visit www.heartforafrica.org.