CAN is the inspiration of its founder Francesca Simms. It originated following the AIDS orphan crisis in Africa. The underlying concept was to identify and research innovative and successful methods of meeting the needs of orphans and children in need in Africa and disseminate these for the benefit of such children elsewhere. Its objective was to reverse the destruction of the African community-care system, which would have disastrous consequences for the future of children in Africa and all development goals.

CAN's evolution has followed three phases: