Africa Bridge was the "brainwave", the "brainchild" of Barry Childs. It was an honor to hear his amazing story.
It begins with his botantist father in Tanzania, and continues, atonishingly, here in Portland.
He shared his story with me (with lots of laughter!): how that bridge was built, and importantly, how the kids in those remote villages created context for a solution.
I hope you will take the time to enjoy our conversation below. - Inessa
In two parts, here's PART ONE
and PART TWO
Africa Bridge Presents First Annual Africa Bridge Harvest Gala August 29th
Social Enterprises, Inc. has partnered with Africa Bridge, a non-profit organization based in both Oregon and Tanzania, to produce the first annual Africa Bridge Harvest Gala, taking place Saturday, August 29th at Nelson Farms on Sauvie Island. Africa Bridge is dedicated to empowering East African communities through integrated, sustainable development programs helping to improve the lives of children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS. The Harvest Gala honors the tradition of how harvest is celebrated in Tanzania - with an Ngoma, an after-harvest festival highlighting the bounties of the earth through African dance and drum. The Harvest Gala will raise awareness and support for Africa Bridge and its numerous influential programs, while enjoying the wonderful culture of Africa.
Africa Bridge works with local Tanzanians to create sustainable solutions to the challenges they face in caring for orphans and vulnerable children in their communities. “Over the last 7 years we have created 20 income generating cooperatives through microloans that support the families who are fostering the villages' orphans and most vulnerable children. These projects have been hugely successful in assisting families to become self sustainable - allowing them to feed, clothe and educate the children of their villages. This event will help to support existing program and expand to new communities.” says Barry Childs, Founder of Africa Bridge.
Guests will enjoy a night of exhilarating African music and drumming, African infused harvest dinner and inspiring messages from Barry Childs, Founder and Executive Director of Africa Bridge, and Lisa MacCallum, Managing Director of The Nike Foundation and more. Performances will include Obo Addy, one of the key originators of the seminal musical movement now known as Worldbeat, and a prominent member of the first generation of African musicians to bring their music to Europe and America, and Sébé Kan (meaning “Serious Sound”), an 11-member West African drum and dance performance group who has performed and taught in more than 70 schools, universities and artistic camps throughout the Northwest. The Africa Bridge Harvest Gala is on Saturday, August 29th at 5pm and open to the public. Purchase your tickets online ($75/ticket or $700/table of ten) at www.africabridgegala.com.
The Africa Bridge Harvest Gala is the annual event to raise funds for Africa Bridge, and is currently seeking community and media sponsors. For more information on how to get involved as a sponsor or to volunteer, please email info@africabridgegala.com.
About Africa Bridge:
Based in West Linn, Oregon, Africa Bridge is dedicated to improving the lives of orphans and children impacted by HIV/AIDS in Tanzania by empowering their communities through integrated, sustainable development programs. Africa Bridge accomplishes these goals through microloans, income generating project training, scholarships and health education impacting over 3,000 children in 16 different villages. Africa Bridge is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization established in 2000 by Barry Childs, who had the vision to gather leaders in Tanzania to develop an innovative and new approach to helping those affected by HIV/AIDS. Africa Bridge seeks out local best practices and partners to implement all its programs. To learn more about Africa Bridge, visit www.africabridge.org.
About Social Enterprises, Inc.: Founded in 1997, Social Enterprises, Inc. supports and enhances local non-profit and socially conscious organizations through the development and marketing of innovative, profitable and entertaining events. With a team of experts in all areas of event management, Social Enterprises, Inc. is a valuable resource for organizations looking to make an impact and drive social change. For more information on Social Enterprises, Inc., visit www.socialenterprises.net.
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