MILTON, Georgia — Located in the suburbs of Atlanta is the 410 Bridge, a “Christ-centered” holistic non-profit organization aiding in poverty through the development of economics, education, health, spiritual development and water. The Borgen Project spoke with Kandler who said the organization works in about 100 different communities worldwide in six different countries. These countries are Kenya, Guatemala, Haiti, and three newer countries: Indonesia, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
Background
Kandler said he was originally a marketing business owner. “I was exposed to an organization in Uganda that, through my kid’s school, who needed a school building. And that was the last thing on my mind,” said Kandler.
He saw a floor made from mud, bricks, cow dung, dirt floors and more. He thought it was weird that the school was made out of these materials and that it would not be too hard to build a brick building. Along with that he felt God was showing him the direction to go.
Kandler said he and his family went to build a school located far from a big city but he thought this was not the way to help solve the poverty problem. He decided to study the “poverty issue” upon returning, as he believed poverty was not being solved in the right ways.
Organization Beliefs
Kandler told The Borgen Project that the problem is based on how people see the world, the way they think but not a material problem. The organization uses a holistic development approach.
“You have got to change how they think, how they see God, how they see each other, how they see their neighbors, how they see their community, how they see their children, their spouse…,” said Kandler. “What we more care about is what the community did on its own. Because that is development, empowerment and the difference.”
The model is to first have a leadership council made of Indigenous people, second have an assessment where the community decides what they need, third is to create a plan where the community thinks they need the most help and to finally have partners that help with this.
In the Kenyan community of Ulu, the 410 Bridge worked with the community to help reestablish damaged infrastructure, including a latrine. “This project came together with incredible support from the Ulu community members, who were hands-on from start to finish,” said the 410 Bridge staff in a 2024 article. “Families and volunteers cleared the construction site, dug the pit, and provided sand, truly embodying the spirit of collaboration and unity that defines our work together.”
Water
Kandler gave an example of how water is essential for development. “It is the number one physical solution to build a foundation to solve the poverty problem,” he said. “People are walking long distances for water, and it’s dirty every day.”
A Healthline article notes 16 reasons why water is important. This includes helping to fight off illness, protecting your body and regulating body temperature. In 2024, 410 Bridge brought clean water to the village of Tumutumu through the Tumutumu water project. To get water, they used to have to go over an hour just for one 20-liter jerrycan, but five were necessary each day for their homes. People would do this by carrying the jerrycan, using a donkey or a motorbike.
The 410 Bridge staff said, “With access to clean, reliable, and affordable water, the Tumutumu community is now thriving.” This has given them the opportunity to live better and work on other jobs to grow their income.
Partners
Kandler said they have partners, but are difficult to come across because the 410 Bridge looks for those who are willing to stay with the community.
There are few organizations which he thinks they can work with. “So very few, very few organizations are willing to come into our communities and work at the pace of the community in a holistic way,” said Kandler. However, he also said one of the organizations they are partnered with is Hope International which also has a holistic development approach. Kandler told The Borgen Project that all of their staff is indigenous.
Future Outlook
Kandler said that so far, the 410 Bridge has graduated 13 communities and is on track to graduate five more this year. He said the most recent graduate is Kiu, which is in Kenya.
Kandler does not want communities to become too dependent and prefers to graduate a community early.
He said in the past, they have had to cancel a graduation like in Haiti because the community was expecting things to be given to them. The organization has a rating of 97 on Charity Navigator.
Kandler said that the model works but they are looking to achieve something greater. Indeed, he hopes to have what he calls “beacon communities” to show hope for the country and what can be done. Kandler thinks there are a couple of communities that can achieve this feat in Kenya.
“It feels great in the sense of its gratifying work, but it also breaks your heart when there is a community that you are saying no to,” said Kandler.
– Matthew Restrepo
Matthew is based in Milton, GA, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr