Who We Are
History
Africa Bridge is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established in 2000 by Barry Childs. In search of solutions for the extreme child poverty associated with the high mortality rates of young parents as the result of HIV/AIDS and other diseases, Barry conducted interviews with various African leaders, as well as village children and adults for over two years. Africa Bridge’s mission grew out of these interviews.
Barry was inspired by the openness of the villagers and understood that by drawing on Africa’s deep values of community and relationship, combined with Western technology and resources, a bridge could be built linking the western and African worlds - a bridge over which diverse cultures can share complementary gifts and lessons to create innovative and collaborative solutions to extreme child poverty.
The result was the creation of Africa Bridge’s mission and founding principles that continue to guide the organization.
In 2002, Africa Bridge began its first project in one village in Isongole Ward. Since then the organization has received funding from individuals and foundations to expand into fifteen additional villages in the Isongole and Masoko wards.
Africa Bridge provides seed capital for farm cooperatives, training for agricultural projects, building classrooms, providing scholarships for school expenses and supporting Tanzania’s Most Vulnerable Children Committees (MVCCs).
