We’re happy to announce that following the overwhelming success of Litsemba 2010, Heart for Africa will host Litsemba 2011 on July 23, 2011.  Like Litsemba 2010, the event will be a day of celebration and hope for the children of Swaziland.  There will be live music performed by US and Swaziland artists along with more powerful messages of hope from our guest speakers.  Changing for 2011 is the location of the event.  Litsemba 2011 will be hosted at Project Canaan, Heart for Africa’s private farm and children’s home property.

In addition to Litsemba 2011, we are also excited to tell you that we will be returning to serve the children in their communities working alongside the Swazi churches and their congregations.  In 2010, working alongside churches was a new direction for Heart for Africa.  We are so pleased that this new direction was warmly received by you, our volunteers, as well as by the church leaders and people of the communities.

There are a few changes for 2011 that we want to make you aware of as you pray about your decision to travel to Swaziland in 2011.

1. This year we will have TWO Litsemba trips.  The trips will overlap for the actual Litsemba event day so that everyone can participate.  By offering two separate service opportunities, we are able to reduce the individual trip size while bringing more people to Swaziland to serve the children.
2. Each Litsemba trip will include a “Medical Mission” team of 20 doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.
3. Many of you have asked for a longer service experience and we have been listening.  This year we are happy to offer an extended length service opportunity for you.  We are calling it the Litsemba Extended Trip.  This is a 16-day trip that will include service at two different churches along with serving at Litsemba 2011.
4. As you consider your service opportunities for 2011, please pay special attention to the churches associated with each trip.  For instance, if you are interested in serving at Church #1, you will want to register for Litsemba Trip #A or Litsemba Extended.
5. Also note that there is limited space to serve at each church.  So while we will work hard to accommodate your preference, understand that churches are filled on a first come, first served basis.

Litsemba Trip #A

• Departs from the US on July 15
• Returns to the US on July 25
• Limited to 180 volunteers plus 20 Medical volunteers serving at 15 of our church partners
• Serving at the following churches: 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 30

Litsemba Trip #B

• Departs from the US on July 20
• Returns to the US on July 30
• Limited to 180 volunteers plus 20 Medical volunteers serving at 15 of our church partners
• Serving at the following churches: 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

Litsemba Extended

• Departs from the US on July 15
• Returns to the US on July 30
• Space will be limited based on the available space on Litsemba #A and Litsemba #B.  Both trips can not exceed the maximum of 180 volunteers and 20 medical professionals each.
• You will have the opportunity to serve at churches associated with Litsemba #A and Litsemba #B.

We are thankful to His Majesty King Mswati III for giving his full support of this important event and for cancelling other travel plans to attend with his children. We are thankful to the Inkhosikati La Mbikiza for being the beautiful Patron of the event. Thanks also goes to the Swazi government and the Swazi Ambassador to Taiwan, Ambassador Gwebu, who together forged ahead with the event in times of doubt and confusion.

A special thank you goes out to each of the 400 volunteers who traveled to Swaziland from Canada, Taiwan and the United States and told the children of Swaziland with their eyes, their hands, their hearts, and their feet that they are loved.

The team at Heart for Africa wants to thank each and every person that had something to do with making Litsemba 2010 the success that it was, from praying to knitting to collecting to fundraising to traveling to loving. There will never be enough words to pass on our thanks properly.

Below is a photo slide show of the event. Take a look and see the smiles on the faces of the children that would not have happened without all of your hard work, many prayers, and generosity. A video will be posted here on the blog no later than Friday, August 26.

And to answer the question that has been asked over and over again … Litsemba 2011 will take place on Saturday, July 23rd, 2011! We hope to see you all there.

Registration is open for the marathon on January 23, 2011 in Carlsbad, CA. Last year, the Heart for Africa team raised over $25,000. And this year, we have an even bigger challenge…$30,000! That is a big goal for a small team, but with many runners/walkers raising funds together we know that we can reach our goal.

This year, the Heart for Africa Carlsbad Marathon team will be “Running for Water”. Water that can change the lives of the children of Swaziland.

Project Canaan in Swaziland is a large scale farm and soon-to-be children’s home owned by Heart for Africa. We have made great strides in development in the past year. But we still have a long way to go. We need to provide proper water and irrigation for the farm so that we can plant and harvest food year round. Right now, because of the lack of proper irrigation, we are limited to one growing season per year. This has to change to begin to address the food issue in Swaziland.

We hope that you will plan to join us in Carlsbad on January 23, 2011 either as a runner/walker of the full or half-marathon or as a volunteer passing out water and giving support along the course.

If you plan to run/walk, you need to register soon and get your fundraising page set up. The half-marathon always sells out very early. So register today at http://www.active.com/donate/hfa2011. Just click the “Register for this Event” button at the top.

Would you rather volunteer? Send an email to marathon@heartforafrica.org and we will be in touch.

We understand if you can’t join us in Carlsbad. Please consider giving to help the team reach our goal of $30,000. Donate today at http://www.active.com/donate/hfa2011.

The Launch of Heart for Africa – Taiwan

Last year, students from Taiwan traveled to Swaziland to serve with Heart for Africa along with their teacher, Mr. Lewis Lu.  The team of volunteers were a welcome addition to the volunteers from the US and Canada.

After returning home, Mr. Lu and others decided that to ensure a long term commitment to serving the children of Swaziland, they should start a charity.  And we are happy that they decided to join with Heart for Africa – US in the formation of this charity.  Heart for Africa – Taiwan will work on fund raising projects throughout Taiwan to help improve the lives of the people of Swaziland.  This year Mr. Lu and his students will return to Swaziland for another service project.  In addition to Mr. Lu’s team, traveling with Heart for Africa – US are 13 students and teachers form the Catholic Dioceses of Taichung, Taiwan.

Heart for Africa – Taiwan is a sister organization of Heart for Africa – US and Heart for Africa – Canada.

Meeting with the President of Taiwan and the Fervent Global Love of Life Award

During the visit, Janine was recognized as a recipient of the Fervent Global Love of Lives Award from the Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation.  This International award recognizes individuals that are helping to spread love and compassion all over the world.  Along with the other winners from Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, Japan, the US, and mainland China, Janine had the opportunity to meet with the President of Taiwan.  You can read more of his remarks on the official Taiwanese Presidential website.

Through her service to God and her love for the children of Africa, Janine was honored to be recognized by the people of Taiwan and the Chou Ta-Kuan Foundation.

10,000 Blankets Donated to the Children of Swaziland

As part of the Litsemba 2010 event in Swaziland on July 23, 2010, the Catholic Dioceses of Taichung, Taiwan, along with the Library of Changhua Senior High School and the Taiwan Catholic Mission Foundation, has donated 10,000 blankets to Heart for Africa.  These are not just any blankets.  These blankets are eco-friendly blankets made from recycled plastic bottles.  The entire team working on the project even spent time cleaning the bottles and removing the labels before they were processed to make the blankets.

Joining the students and teachers was Swaziland’s Ambassador to Taiwan, Ambassador Gwebu.  At the time of the work, Ambassador Gwebu was not aware that the bottles were being cleaned to make blankets for the children of her country.  Later, she was very happy to learn that the blankets were bound for Swaziland.

Check out the photo slideshow for pictures of the blanket drive.

“Is It Okay With You” Released in Chinese

Following last year’s launch of It’s Not Okay With Me in Chinese, Heart for Africa co-founder Janine Maxwell’s newest book, Is It Okay With You, was recently released in Chinese.  All proceeds from the sale of the book will help fund the mission trips of Taiwanese students to serve in Swaziland.  In response to the second book being made available in Chinese, Janine stated, “I’m so pleased to know that people throughout Taiwan and mainland China will have an opportunity to read the stories of so many that have decided it is not okay with them.  Together with volunteers from the United States and Canada, we all can make a marked improvement in the lives of the children of Swaziland and Kenya.”

Catholic Dioceses Donates $30,000 to Heart for Africa

We are very excited to announce that the Catholic Dioceses of Taichung, Taiwan has donated $20,000 USD to Heart for Africa.  This donation will be used by Heart for Africa to build the first caregivers home on Project Canaan.  With the construction about to begin on the first home for babies, providing a home for the caregivers is the next step in opening the home.  We are so thankful for the amazing generosity of the people of the Catholic Dioceses of Taichung.

After returning home, Mr. Lu and others decided that to ensure a long term commitment to serving the children of Swaziland, they should start a charity.  And we are happy that they decided to partner with Heart for Africa – US in the formation of this charity.  Heart for Africa – Taiwan will work on fund raising projects throughout Taiwan to help improve the lives of the people of Swaziland.  This year Mr. Lu and his students will return to Swaziland for another service project.  In addition to Mr. Lu’s team, traveling with Heart for Africa – US are 13 students and teachers form the Catholic Dioceses of Taichung, Taiwan.

Working alongside Heart for Africa – Canada and Heart for Africa – US, the Taiwanese team are a welcomed addition to the Heart for Africa family.

Joining Janine and Ian at the press conference for the launch was a representative from the Ministry of Education, Taiwan.

In the areas around our partner churches, there are many children living on their own. The women of the churches work very hard each day to provide for the children. What better gift to these women than baskets of nutritious fruit to help feed the children.

This fruit will be distributed in July by our volunteers from America, Canada, and Taiwan. Be a part today with your donation of $50. Want us to send a card to your mom recognizing this wonderful gift? Be sure to complete the honor card information on the donation form. For donations of $100 or more, we will include a gift for your mom, a copy of Janine Maxwell’s new book “Is It Okay With You?”.

Thank you for your continued support of Heart for Africa and our work in Africa.

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L.I.F.E Week at University of San Diego

This student-led event at the University of San Diego is an awareness event for the students of USD. Focusing on major issues such as human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, genocide, abortion, immigration and poverty, the event will culminate with a concert featuring the Princess of Swaziland performing for the students on Friday evening, April 30. For more information, visit the USD website.

The 2nd Annual Heart for Africa “HOPE 5K Run/Walk”

Hosted by Heart for Africa volunteers Angel and Greg Klund from Cape Girardeau, MO, the HOPE 5K Run/Walk will help raise awareness and funds for Heart for Africa. Join more than 125 runners/walkers for this fun 5K walk on May 1, 2010 in Cape Girardeau. For more information, contact Angel Klund.

Les Miserables-School Edition at North Coast Calvary Chapel in Carlsbad, CA

One of Broadways legendary Rock Operettas is at NCCC! Celebrate and join the North Coast Calvary Chapel family for a fun night out with the family. All proceeds will go to benefit the NCCC Heart for Africa Litsemba Team going to serve the orphans of Swaziland this summer for the historic Litsemba 2010. Tickets are available for May 4 and May 5 at the North Coast Calvary Chapel website.

Receiving the Humanitarian Award this year were the husband and wife leadership team of Heart for Africa, Ian and Janine Maxwell. They were honored with the award for their leadership in developing sustainable communities in sub-Saharan Africa that will lead to better food security and improved economic conditions.

Before honoring the Maxwells, MedAssets’ chairman, president and CEO John Bardis announced that the Company’s award was being renamed for Norman E. Borlaug, a 1970 Nobel Peace Prize laureate who dedicated his life to improving crop yields and varieties so that impoverished nations in Asia, Africa and South America could enjoy better food security. Borlaug died in September at the age of 95. Borlaug’s family attended the ceremony.

The Maxwells gave up lucrative business careers to devote their lives to Heart for Africa. The U.S.-based non-profit works with local African organizations to provide self-sustainable homes for orphans and vulnerable children through long-term programs and short-term service trips that deliver quality care, shelter, food, water, clothing, health care, social work, mentoring and education. The organization specializes in bringing people from North America to work in service projects alongside local partners in two African countries: Kenya and Swaziland. Over the past two years, MedAssets and its employees have donated more than $1.5 million and thousands of hours of volunteer time to developing Project Canaan, a sustainable agricultural community in Swaziland. When completed, Project Canaan will include farmland, fisheries, hydroponic greenhouses, orchards and dairy operations, along with housing and schools for orphans and vulnerable children and a health clinic.

“Heart for Africa is a cause that everyone at MedAssets has embraced,” Bardis said. “The MedAssets employees who have travelled there have been touched by the impact this project is already having on the people of Swaziland. As we continue to develop Project Canaan, that impact will be even greater and will offer this community an opportunity to thrive like never before.”

About MedAssets

MedAssets (NASDAQ: MDAS) partners with healthcare providers to improve financial strength by implementing spend management and revenue cycle management solutions that help control cost, improve margins and cash flow, increase regulatory compliance, and optimize operational efficiency. MedAssets serves more than 125 health systems, 3,300 hospitals, and 40,000 non-acute healthcare providers. For more information, go to www.medassets.com

About Heart for Africa

Heart for Africa is a U.S. non-profit working with local African organizations to provide self-sustainable homes for orphans through long term programs and short term service trips that deliver quality care, shelter, food, water, clothing, health care, social work, mentoring and education. The organization specializes in bringing people from North America to work in service projects alongside local partners in two African countries: Kenya and Swaziland. To date, more than 4,000 people have traveled with Heart for Africa. For more information, please visit www.heartforafrica.org.

We can’t thank you enough for your commitment to this project and your desire to give these gifts to the children.

Thank you!

The Team at Heart for Africa