.jpg)
Our Vision
Healthy lives and thriving communities in Africa.
Our Mission
Partnering with communities in Africa to foster health and resilience by
Strengthening
health systems
Expanding access
to clean water
Enhancing
food security
Supporting inclusive
education
Promoting environmental conservation and climate resilience
Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights
Organizational Values
Our values guide how we put our vision and mission into practice. They shape our decisions, our partnerships and the way we work alongside communities. From respecting local knowledge and leadership to ensuring transparency and equitable participation, these commitments define how we pursue lasting change together.
HEALTH
CPAR believes that healthy communities are the foundation for sustainable development and works to improve the physical, social, and environmental conditions that support well-being.
INTEGRITY
CPAR is committed to transparency, accountability, and ethical practice in all partnerships, financial management, and program implementation.
EXCELLENCE
CPAR strives for high-quality, evidence-informed programming that is reponsive to community needs and focused on achieving sustainable impact.
COMMUNITY
CPAR values community leadership, participation, and ownership, recognizing that lasting change is achieved through locally driven solutions and partnerships.
RESPECT
CPAR works in partnership with communities and stakeholders with respect for local knowledge, cultures, perspectives, and priorities.
TRUST
CPAR prioritizes long-term relationships built on mutual trust, collaboration, and open communication with communities, partners, donors, and staff.
EQUALITY
CPAR is committed to inclusive and equitable programming that promotes participation and access to opportunities regardless of gender, age, disability, or social background.
Our History
For more than 40 years, CPAR has worked alongside communities in sub-Saharan Africa to support locally driven solutions that improve health and strengthen livelihoods for current and future generations.
​
CPAR was founded in 1984 by Dr. Mark Doidge, Henry Gold, and Simcha Jacobovici in response to the severe famine affecting Ethiopian refugees in Sudan. What began as an emergency relief effort – providing food and medical support – quickly grew into a long-term commitment to improving community health across sub-Saharan Africa.
​
As communities began to rebuild, CPAR’s work evolved from emergency response to a sustainable development approach focused on strengthening health systems and addressing the broader factors that influence health and wellbeing.
​
Over time, CPAR expanded its programs beyond Ethiopia to Malawi (1991), Uganda (1992), and Tanzania (2001), working alongside communities to improve access to healthcare, clean water, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. Today, CPAR focuses its efforts in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Tanzania, strengthening health systems by training frontline health workers, supporting health infrastructure, and partnering with local leaders to improve health outcomes and build more resilient communities.
​
CPAR’s work is supported by a growing network of Canadian supporters and international partners, including Global Affairs Canada, UNICEF, UNDP, and the World Food Programme.