WHAT WE DO
African Road builds bridges of connection
that lead to long-lasting, community-driven results,
with love and devotion at the heart.
African Road comes alongside our Changemaker partners & their local communities in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda & Tanzania. Our work together is built on a foundation of strong friendship and wholehearted relationship. We believe that collaboration, integrity and sustainability are vital to positive change in East Africa. We invest in local solutions, equipping leaders, empowering women and girls, listening and learning- in order to strengthen and spotlight the good work each Changemaker is committed to in their own country and context.
The African Road Model informs what we do, the values that inform our work and the impact of our relational partnerships- Together with our Changemaker partners, and with the African Road community on this side of the world too.
Nurturing Relationships / Vibrant and Respectful Co-creation / Sustained Community Benefit / Thoughtful Reflection / Mutual Learning / Sharing / Love
The African Road Model
Nurturing generative, long-term relationships –
African Road invests in building long-term relationships. We connect people and build a bridge of connection between friends on this side of the world and our partners in East Africa.
Co-creating vision for community impact –
African Road is guided by community vision for lasting change. Through listening, bringing questions, and offering perspective, we create solutions together.
Investing in capacity building and projects for sustained community benefit –
Initiatives bring lasting impact when they consider the strengths, needs, capacity, and dreams of the community for sustainable impact. Sustainability and community ownership are essential for every project. We invest in building the capacity of the Changemakers, as they lead and work towards a sustainable future for their communities.
Reflecting, evaluating, and learning –
Thoughtful evaluation guides the actions and funding priorities for best long-term outcomes. Changemakers, partner communities, and team members reflect and learn together.
Forming communities of mutual learning –
African Road is a bridge of connection, encouraging curiosity, peer to peer learning, and togetherness. Changemaker partners are valued teachers for the African Road community, and for each other. Friends of African Road are informed and equipped through creative learning experiences. Together, we all share insight and learn, with a mutual commitment to growing alongside one another.
Sharing new insights and resources –
African Road is a global community of generosity and care – we all can share what we learn, what inspires us, and what we have. Friendship and relational partnership changes us all.
Love is our source –
African Road is fueled by love; the gritty, deep, genuine commitment to do the hard work together. We build community with heart and care for each other as human beings. As we work together for the kind of world we all want, we become part of something bigger than ourselves. This love translates into action and keeps us going, with joy and determination.
African Road began with one relationship in Rwanda in 2010, when we formed, to walk alongside one remarkable local leader.
This relational approach, with the commitment to invest in community strengths, led to the gradual formation of the African Road Model, and to ongoing growth of partnerships with more Changemakers.