Gala to promote Africa Bridge

By Cliff Newell

The Lake Oswego Review, Aug 20, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Barry Childs, left, is shown on one of his many trips to Africa. On Aug. 29, his Africa Bridge Harvest Gala will bring Africa to Oregon.

When Barry Childs of West Linn started Africa Bridge in 2000, he was just hoping to help some African children.

Today, his non-profit organization is assisting thousands of children in East Africa.

“I didn’t think things would go this far,” Childs admitted. “I didn’t imagine improving agriculture in a town or providing cows for farms.”

Portland-area people can see what Africa Bridge is all about when its first harvest gala is held on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Nelson Farms on Sauvie Island.

The entertainment will be exhilarating, with African music and drumming featuring performers like Obo Abby, a founder of the music movement “Worldbeat,” and Sebe Kan, an 11-member West African drum and dance performance group.

The big night will feature a dinner of African dishes, plus messages by Childs and Lisa MacCallum, managing director of the Nike Foundation.

“Response has been great so far,” Childs said. “We’ve had 100 people sign up so far, and we’re hoping to get 300.”

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