In easy-to-read language, this book tells the stories of three community-built, community-run centres in three very different communities in South Africa. It offers communities a guide as how to go about buildng their own community centre, how to ensure that programmes that benefit the community are accommodated in the centre and how to train the staff members in the centre in the needs of the most vulnerable members of any community - children and their caregivers. In addition, there is advice about how to go about funding their efforts, how to ensure that the centre stays true to its vision of serving the most vulnerable - but silent - members of their community and how to green a centre and its environment in amidst real poverty. The author admits to some failures - inevitable in development work - but, overall, here is a source of encouragement and practical advice.