On November 3rd, 2019, tragedy struck the hearts of many. A devastating vehicle collision claimed the lives of nine beautiful souls, including Brendan (33) and Melissa Perrott (32), their two young children, Evelyn (5) and Colton (3), and a beloved young man from Bulembu, Sabelo Sibeko (21).
The Perrott family was returning to Bulembu from South Africa after supporting Sabelo in an adventure race. Sabelo, an inspiring 21-year-old, had spent most of his life in Bulembu. He was a talented athlete and a young man full of promise, discovering his passions and becoming a role model for others. His entrepreneurial spirit was just beginning to blossom.
Brendan and Melissa Perrott had poured their hearts into Bulembu for two years, living right in the community and working directly with the children there. In particular, they felt a profound calling to invest in the lives of young adults transitioning out of institutional care. Their dedication went beyond mentoring. They opened their home and hearts, providing the love, guidance and support these young people desperately needed to navigate the challenging journey toward independence.
The Perrotts were planning to return to their home in Sherwood Park, Alberta in early 2020, to help establish a Canadian nonprofit dedicated to caring for orphaned children in Eswatini. Their lives were tragically cut short before they could take that next step.
However, through the efforts of others, that dream has come to fruition in the form of Bezulu.
In the wake of this heartbreaking loss, a memorial fund was created to honour the Perrott family and Sabelo and support the young adults they cared for so deeply.
Each initiative we fund helps move young adults towards stability, safety, and a brighter future.
By contributing to this fund, you’re not only honouring the memory of the Perrotts and Sabelo – you’re helping young people in Eswatini thrive. You’re giving them the tools they need to succeed in life, to dream bigger, and to make a lasting impact in their communities.
God is not done writing this story. Donate today and become part of this powerful journey.
To honour the memory of the Perrott Family and Sabelo.
To support young adults to reach their full potential as they transition out of institutional care.
Every child deserves a fair chance in life.
Young adults need support to transition out of institutional care.
Transition is a complicated process that requires a holistic approach that responds to the needs of each individual.
By honouring the Perrott family’s sacrificial passion, we will see our young adults receive the support they need to lead fully realized lives, carrying forth a legacy of love, family and mentorship.
Interventions powered by the Memorial Fund include:
Jan has extensive experience in finance and admin, operating as an executive assistant for M&L Painting, as well as serving with various ministries over the years.
Jan has a deep-seated love for God’s children, and her passion is contagious. Jan serves Bezulu both as a diligent administrator, but also as a key member of our Board of Directors.
Jan serves in both her roles as an incredible volunteer, and we are full of gratitude for her service and dedication.
Geoff is a visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Geoff and his family believe investing in youth and families unlocks incredible potential. He has been a director on various international and local boards, including Vancouver Youth for Christ, Hillside Baptist, and the Reed Charitable Foundation.
Geoff’s involvement with grassroots partners in Africa extends back almost twenty years. As one of Bezulu’s board members, he brings incredible experience in operations, finance and management.
Ray has been working to serve vulnerable families and communities in Africa for decades.
An experienced corporate and nonprofit leader, Ray brings a crucial level of experience in philanthropy, operations, financial management, and business development.
Ray’s passion is found in driving economic investment that creates lifelong sustainable change for entire communities. An outcome of that passion is the creation of Kinvest Venture Partners.
Ray’s model of collaboration with grassroots partners inspires Bezulu’s values.
Michael Van Pelt is the CEO of Cardus, a leading public policy think tank in Canada.
He is a 30-year veteran of Canadian public life and a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Michael is a vibrant generator of ideas and a fantastic resource on governance and organizational leadership.
Michael serves on Bezulu’s board because he believes in bringing lasting sustainable change to families and children through investing in and working alongside local communities in Africa.
Michael lives in Ancaster, Ontario with his wife Deani.
Patty joined our board in 2024. She and her husband Myron have two adult daughters and a brand new son-in-law!
Patty holds a social work degree and has experience helping families build skills to keep children in their homes, as well as working in foster care and adoption.
She and her husband, Myron, are passionate about supporting vulnerable children in Africa. They have served on multiple trips to Bulembu, Eswatini, to provide dental care and restore smiles and health.
Based in Athabasca, AB, and wintering in Phoenix, AZ, Patty is excited to join the Bezulu team to support orphaned and at-risk children in Eswatini.
Roger and Dorothy Bartel have been pouring out their hearts and lives into the people of Eswatini for more than a decade.
Roger and Dorothy are the ultimate power couple, serving together in everything they do. Family is the most important thing.
Roger applies a critical eye to his nonprofit work, developed over a successful career with Spartan Controls, a leading industrial service provider in Western Canada.
Roger is a founding board member and key driving force behind the creation of Bezulu.
Jan has extensive experience in finance and admin, operating as an executive assistant for M&L Painting, as well as serving with various ministries over the years.
Jan has a deep-seated love for God’s children, and her passion is contagious. Jan serves Bezulu both as a diligent administrator, but also as a key member of our Board of Directors.
Jan serves in both her roles as an incredible volunteer, and we are full of gratitude for her service and dedication.
Lorri is a remarkable leadership development specialist, with a storied career in coaching, training, team and program development.
She has a heart and deep passion for loving all of God’s children, and her many trips to Africa and professional background make her the perfect person to lead Bezulu’s mission team program.
We are so privileged to have Lorri serve as a volunteer with Bezulu.
Josh is the founding Executive Director of Bezulu. He and his wife Nadine have two sons. Josh has worked in international development for over ten years, focusing on maternal and child health while leading field operations for local and international NGOs across East Africa.
As an adoptive father, Josh has profound personal experience navigating care systems for orphaned and vulnerable children. Josh knows how building a family can transform a child’s life, and he will do everything he can so that every child everywhere can be part of a family.
Josh is based in Edmonton, Alberta.
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