We all know raising a child is impossibly difficult. Imagine raising hundreds, all at the same time.
Children are the heartbeat of Bezulu. Caring for them and setting them up for success is the most important thing.
Our pillars combine real-life experience with the best evidence-based practices to tackle complex problems with a holistic approach.
We continue to encounter children in crisis. We are committed to providing them urgent, immediate care through our direct orphan care program in Eswatini.
Applying a family-style care model, and ensuring the very best in nutrition, education and housing, we are working to raise the leaders of tomorrow.
Children who have grown up in institutions require support and guidance as they transition into post-secondary education, find careers, and start families of their own. Bezulu is focused on ensuring that young adults are supported through this transition and are prepared for the challenges of adulthood beyond the walls of an orphanage.
Many children who are vulnerable and living in institutions have known, traceable family, who for many reasons, may not have been able to provide them with a safe and loving home. Bezulu helps to reintegrate and reconnect families that have been separated, by helping them navigate some of the common challenges that may cause separation, such as gender-based violence and poverty.
Bezulu supports programs that provide services to families who are at high risk of separation. We know that children thrive in safe and loving families, so our first goal is to help their family of origin stay together and provide the support a child needs.
We work to empower local leaders to build resilient communities, and our partners provide a holistic range of services to help families as they fight to stay together.
We must all understand how to ethically support the care of orphaned and vulnerable children. Bezulu is committed to sharing about these precious children and the urgent needs they have for a safe and loving environment.
We connect best practices and evidence-based research with frontline care workers, and we partner with Canadian churches and communities to show how together, we can transform orphan care.
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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