How a self-sustaining business model is transforming rural African villages through love

In 1998 Barry Childs returned to Tanzania, where he had spent his childhood as the son of a British agriculturalist. He was about to turn 55 years of age and wondered how things had turned out for the African children he had played with some decades before, only to realize that most of them had died. The shocking gap in life expectancy spurred him to take early retirement and spend the rest of his days developing an economic model that could transform prospects for some of the most deprived people in the world.

The result was Africa Bridge, a sustainable and cooperative agricultural business model founded in 2000. Over the two decades of its growth, it has been adopted by 37 villages in western Tanzania, transforming living standards and prospects for thousands of families, confirmed by independent research. This vindicates the vision of Barry and his colleagues who believe that sympathy is not enough to overcome poverty, action is required, and that love is a verb.

By helping the most disadvantaged, Africa Bridge performs much needed divine work, letting the poorest of the poor know they are loved. There is no higher calling.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, writing in 2005

'Founded on love, ingenuity, and dedication, Africa Bridge's impressive success gives the lie to the lazy assertions that the problem of poverty is unsolvable.'

Dr Heath Prince, research scientist at the Ray Marshall Center for the Study of Human Resources

'What Africa Bridge is doing for the orphans, those living in difficult conditions, is what Mwalimu Nyerere [founding President of Tanzania] was trying to achieve. He was trying as much as possible to ensure that living conditions for all Tanzanians were improving.' Mathayo Mwakagamba, Tanzanian architect, friend of Africa Bridge.

'Read this book and stay in touch with its message: ordinary people can do extraordinary things. We are all capable of living fuller and better lives.'

Dr Carl Larson, Professor Emeritus, and past Dean of Social Sciences, University of Denver