Africa Bridge is dedicated to empowering East African communities to improve the lives of children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.

Out of the hearts and minds of a small group of Africans and westerners, Africa Bridge was launched in the summer of 2000. The HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa serves as the foundation upon which a bridge can be built linking the western and African worlds - a bridge over which diverse cultures can share complementary gifts and lessons, and create possibilities for those in need. Africa Bridge’s approach to helping orphaned and vulnerable children is unique, innovative and effective. We are guided by the following core principals:

1. All of Africa Bridge’s projects are based on extensive feedback and input from local people. Our projects are designed by Africans for Africans and are implemented by local partners.
2. On all projects, Africa Bridge encourages men, women and children, the literate and illiterate, to come together as equals to discover their common ground through honest and open dialogue. Only then do they make concrete action plans.
3. Africa Bridge acknowledges Africa’s deep values of community and relationship, while recognizing the need to draw up Western resources and technologies. Fundamental to all of our work is the belief and practice of helping to facilitate local solutions to local problems.
4. A stronger economy leads to stronger families. Africa Bridge strives to strengthen families so that they can become empowered, economically secure and develop the capacity to protect and nurture vulnerable children.

Africa Bridge conducts its work in Tanzania, a beautiful country located in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda in the north, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west, and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique in the south. Tanzania is home to exquisite natural wonders such as Mt. Kilimanjaro, the sands of Zanzibar and Serengeti National Park.

Like many countries in Africa, Tanzania has few resources to cope with the magnitude of poverty and HIV/AIDS. It is one of the poorest countries in the world where most of the population lives in small villages. According to recent reports from the World Health Organization, Tanzania’s HIV prevalence is 8.8%, with over 1.6 million adults and children living with the disease.

Africa Bridge works in Southwest Tanzania focusing on 8 villages that comprise the Isongole Ward of Rungwe District, Mbeye.

Africa Bridge seeks out local best practices and partners to implement all its programs. All of our partners share our desire to improve the lives of children in East African communities. Our partners include:

• Human Development Trust (HDT) is a Tanzanian NGO whose mission is to pioneer new standards of equality for women, children, and the elderly. Founded by Tanzanian professionals, it operates at both a grassroots and national level. HDT has programs in 10 wards of Rungwe District, running community-based HIV and youth policy projects.
• The Lutheran Church in Rungwe District has been a collaborative partner with Africa Bridge (AB) since 2005. With AB funding, the Lutheran Church provides the infrastructure and expertise to operate micro-loan cooperatives, and to educate and support families. Together the partners have developed a process whereby the loans and interest are paid into a children’s fund to support vulnerable children.
• The Moravian Church of West Tanzania (MCWT) has operated many agricultural/farm animal and capacity building projects throughout Western Tanzania for over 25 years. AB supplies funding for farm animals to families who support an orphaned child, while MCWT provides training and follow-up. Africa Bridge assumes responsibility for financial oversight, and both organizations share program administration and evaluation.
• ReTree International works to plant indigenous trees on idle lands around the world by involving local people, especially youth, in planting projects and by educating them on the importance of trees and forests. With assistance from ReTree International, Africa Bridge has established a 5,000 seedling nursery at Isongole Secondary School. The trees are being cared for by the students.

Africa Bridge is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization established in 2000 by Barry Childs. In early 2000, Childs had the vision to gather leaders in Tanzania to develop an innovative and new approach to helping those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Between 2000 and 2001, Childs conducted over 70 interviews with Africans: children, people living with HIV/AIDS, health care workers, government officials, journalists, educators, consultants, non-governmental organizations, and members of the business community to assess the needs of African leaders in fighting HIV/AIDS.

The result was the creation of Africa Bridge’s mission and founding principles that continue to guide the organization today. Africa Bridge began its first project in the village of Idweli in Southwest Tanzania in the fall of 2002.