Koopmans Family
We are Arlyn and Maria Koopmans and we’ve been serving at Project Canaan since 2012. Arlyn, a 3rd generation dairy farmer is the Dairy Manager. His unique skillset has enabled the farm to grow and develop over the past few years. The Dairy Farm provides milk for the children at Project Canaan, while the excess is sold to a local milk processing plant. This generates income to cover the operating costs of the dairy. The vision is that as the farm continues to grow, income from milk sales will help cover the costs of caring for the children at Project Canaan. The Dairy Farm also provides employment to local staff that Arlyn hasbeen training to provide better herd health, operate machinery and handle day-to-day dairy operations.
Maria, who had served at an infant care facility in Haiti was excited to serve with the aunties and staff at the baby home. Since our children, Kate who is 4 and Owen who is 2, were born, Maria has been privileged to stay at home to raise them. The time has come for us to plant roots in Eswatini and build a home for the Dairy Manager on Project Canaan. This home will serve as a safe place for our family and any other Dairy Managers that serve after us. We believe it will allow Arlyn to be efficent in his work and Maria and the children will be more involved with others living and serving at Canaan. Living at Project Canaan will allow us to serve here for longer, strengthen our family unit through more time together and help Arlyn be more productive with his work hours. The cost of building a home at Project Canaan is $81,000. We would be honoured if you would prayerfully consider partnering with us to build this house.