I met my friend, Janine Maxwell, when we both received the Norman Borlaug Humanitarian award from MedAssets. You need to know her story…
At the age of 24 Janine founded what would become one of the most successful marketing companies in Canada. For 16 years, she led Onyx Marketing Group boasting some of the most well known companies in North America.
On 9/11 she found herself among thousands fleeing New York City. This life-changing event sent Janine on a search for meaning. Her journey took her to Africa where she encountered the AIDS pandemic, hunger and disease. Janine was stirred by the faces of children, mothers and grandmothers fighting daily for their life. She turned from her boardroom savvy to be the voice sounding an alarm for those too weak to cry for help. Together Janine and her husband, Ian, co-founded Heart For Africa, a faith based organization focusing on orphans and vulnerable children left in the wake of AIDS.
Her book titles say it all. “It’s Not Okay With Me” and “Is It Okay With You?” We should ask these questions of ourselves and others. I thank God for people like Janine who surrender everything to make a difference in the world.
The Khutsala Artisans Center is a facility on the campus in Swaziland that serves to train and employ women in the arts of sewing and jewelry making. This center provides the necessary skills and opportunities that will enable Swazi women to provide for their families. The center also includes a multi-purpose room for instruction on hygiene, family planning, and other important issues.
It is a blessing to be able to partner with Janine and these artisans to market their jewelry and Christmas ornaments.
“Heart for Africa has been so beneficial to me and I have achieved a lot in life and in my family. Such that today I stand as a brave woman who fought poverty through a job I got as a Khutsala Artisan.” Nelsiwe Mndzebeli
“100% of the profit of our sales to ET goes directly to buying diapers for our 102 abandoned babies. siyabonga (thank you) from all of us to all of you.” Janine
Thanks to all of you for helping us support them.
Linda