Discover the inspiring story of Edric Baker, a Kiwi doctor who lived in remote, rural Bangladesh and dedicated his life to providing medical care to those in need. His exceptional life has been authored by Kate Day from Christian Advocacy Aotearoa.  

During her university years in Christchurch, Kate Day had the opportunity to interview Edric Baker after he spoke at her church. Three years later, Edric passed away and his organization asked Kate to write his biography. After some nudging from God, Kate said yes and discovered the deep questions that Edric's life posed.

Faith and Service

Edric came to faith in Khandallah Anglican Church and heard Jesus' call to follow. He said yes to that adventure and dedicated his life to serving others. As a young doctor working in Vietnam, Edric saw people die for lack of basic healthcare. This injustice was something he could not tolerate, and he spent his life trying to live out an alternative. The healthcare centre he had grown in the remote Kailakuri village had a team of 90 local people and served 28,000 patients per year. They did so on a shoestring, treating each outpatient for less than two New Zealand dollars and helping diabetics manage their condition for just a few cents per day. This exceptional work led philanthropist Gareth Morgan to call Edric Baker, ‘New Zealand’s Mother Teresa’.

Edric's story is action-packed, set amid war, floods, cholera, and the bleak backdrop of inequality and indifference to suffering. In those contexts, Edric lived incarnationally, training local people to serve their own community as paramedics.

Going 'All In' to Pursue an Ideal

Kate explores the model that Edric brought to fruition in Bangladesh and asks whether it can be replicated. She delves into how Edric sustained himself for so many years despite his failures and flaws. Edric's love in action is a deep challenge to many of us. What if we too refused to accept injustice? Could we go 'all in', and sustain it? Edric's story is also an encouragement that ordinary followers of Jesus all have a part to play in transformation, working with Jesus and the resources in our hands.

Get Your Copy

Call Me Brother: The Story of a New Zealand Doctor in Bangladesh is available in paperback and e-book at www.kailakuri.com/biography, with all proceeds going to the Kailakuri Healthcare Project. Sales are also available at the Wellington book launch at 3 pm, 17 June at 8 Kelburn Parade, Wellington.

"Edric Baker's life is a powerful testimony to the difference one person can make in the world. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to be inspired to make a difference in their own community." - Philanthropist Gareth Morgan

Don't miss out on this inspiring and thought-provoking read. Get your copy today and join the movement towards living out your faith through service to others.