"This book is a valuable reflection on 40 years of effort on a wide variety of development projects in one of the poorest countries in the Americas. It looks at innovations in health, education, child labour, the performing arts, special needs and formal education. These projects were inspired by the vision and teachings of the Bahä'i¿ Faith about spiritual empowerment and social transformation, and their practical application is explored with a view to learning about grassroots development. It is refreshing that instead of preaching about a "success story" the authors embrace a humble and honest approach about the struggles and challenges of improving peoples' livelihoods in difficult circumstances. Perhaps this is why their work inspires hope, exactly because it is a genuine reflection on what it takes to translate ideals into reality." - Professor Payam Akhavan, McGill University