Tessa and Africa

Not all love portrayed in The Constant Gardener was between two characters.  Love is shown through Tessa's work in trying to publicize the exploitation of African civilians.  There are many scenes where she is interacting with Africans that illustrate this passion.  For example, there is a scene where Tessa and Justin are in the midst of a crowd when an African boy gives Tessa a gift - a handmade mobile.  Tessa receives the gift with "thank you"s, a kiss on each cheek, and a loving stroke of his face.  She even hangs the mobile up in her home in preparation for her baby.  This interaction demonstrates how much of an impression Tessa must have made on the child in order for him to give her a gift, and how much of an impression the child must have made on Tessa in order for her to hang it in her house.

When Tessa found out that the African public was being used for potentially fatal drug testing, her relationship with the natives prompted her to begin a journey in protest.  It was her love for the people that she was willing to risk it all to set the truth about their condition free.