Aid to Africa has a controversial history. Well-intended donors have invested billions over the years. Yet sub-Saharan Africa remains deeply poor, torn by strife, disease and hunger.

A new model for development is needed—one that empowers Africans to take charge of their future. This model must harness what’s best in human nature to learn, grow and become self-sufficient. This model must be about Africans helping Africa by helping themselves.

Here’s how. The Afri-CAN Café Co-operative converts 40’ x 8’ overseas shipping containers into modern cafés with on site bakeries. Each Café employs four to six individuals. These employees learn the bakery/café business and the skills to become an entrepreneur while earning a salary and being able to make additional money from Café profits. Each Café is ultimately a self-supporting enterprise, which will provide full time employment for its work force.

All Café are owned by The Afri-CAN Café Co-operative Charity, which has been created to serve everyone of its Staff ‘Members.  100% of all funds donated and generated are spent on expanding the number of Cafés, financing Cafés, and exclusively helping the people that work there.  A Co-operative approach.  No shareholders, no lenders, just donors and Staff Members.  Charity and commerce coming together under one roof.

Two Cafés have opened in Lilongwe, Malawi. The first Café opened in March 2010, at the Bwaila Maternity Hospital, the second Café at Kamuzu Central Maternity Hospital. They will continue to open Cafés across Malawi for the rest of 2010 and begin to build the brand in Tanzania, Zambia, and Botswana in 2011.