Locals to give up comfortable Wisconsin home to help in Swaziland
By Jennifer Eisenbart
Staff Writer
The statistics are sobering.
In Africa, a child dies every three seconds of hunger or malnutrition. Every 14 seconds, a child is orphaned because of AIDS. There are 200,000 orphans in Swaziland – a country the size of New Jersey.
That help is needed is evident. Jon and Carrie Bratz hope to provide some of that help when they head to Swaziland in late December for a mission trip through “Heart for Africa,” where they will be working at Project Canaan to help with farming, a clinic and a children’s home.
Jon – a stay-at-home father who is also a captain in the U.S. Army reserves – and Carrie, a nurse, found it an interesting coincidence in 2011 when, in separate places for a weekend, both “felt God” tell them they needed to go to Africa.
“We had no idea where we were going,” said Jon, who at the time was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan with his reserve unit.
In January of this year, a friend suggested that the couple look into Heart for Africa – and its project in Swaziland.
With agriculture in Jon’s background and Carrie being a nurse, the idea of working with Project Canaan seemed like a natural fit.
“We both kind of knew right away that it was right for us,” said Jon.
The two then needed to convince Heart for Africa that they were the right fit for the organization. The reason? Jon and Carrie are making a long trip – a year to 18 months – and will be bringing their two boys, James, 6, and Job 2-1/2.
Once the couple actually met with the group, rather than communicating through email, though, it became clear they would get along famously.
“As soon as we started talking on the phone, we knew it was a good fit,” said Carrie.
The couple made their first trip to Swaziland this past August, spending about a week in the country to get familiar with the area, the project – and the culture.
Keeping Swazi culture – and not imposing American views – is a big goal with the couple. The children’s home, which plays host to about 14 infants who have either been abandoned by their families or given up by parents unable to care for them, will be raised in as much a Swazi family way as possible.
“So the children understand what it means to be a Swazi,” said Jon. “It’s a very tribal or Chiefdom society. Hopefully, these children can go back to that society, and be productive, educated, and be able to earn money. Not perpetuate the poverty.”
Carrie added, “That’s what’s going to change the culture.”
The idea is provide basics needed now – like shoes and food – but also to teach and get children to work for a brighter future.
Heart for Africa provides about 12,000 meals a week through Project Canaan, and works through churches and Swazi homes to provide care.
The goal is to provide quality care, shelter, food, water, clothing, health care and education to orphaned children in the country.
Right now, the entire Bratz family seems to be catching the excitement, though their youngest son, Job, mostly “has no idea,” Jon said.
James, meanwhile, is watching PBS.
“Anything about Africa excites him,” Jon explained.
As for Jon and Carrie, they too are excited, though busy. The couple is still actively seeking donations to help defray the costs of the trip, and also to help fill a 40-foot storage container with agricultural and other needed items.
“I always say I’m excited,” said Jon, “but it’s bigger than that. It’s fantastic to think about what we’re going to gain as a family, and go through.”
To donate to the family, or to help network them with resources, visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ag4hope, or e-mail them at [email protected].
An event will also be held at Heim Hall in the St. Mary’s Church basement Sunday, Nov. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to present details on the project and explain how people can help.
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