Short story:

This summer (18th June - 2 July 2023) I am volunteering with Bridges to Prosperity - this charity builds bridges to tackle rural isolation and to better the lives of those in that community. I and 9 other engineering professionals have been tasked with the delivery of a 77m suspended footbridge at Nkegete in Rwanda. The purpose of this bridge is to connect communities, to allow access to healthcare, education and food markets in cut-off remote locations. I'm running the Heaton Park Half Marathon on May 14th to raise funds!

Long story:

Growing up in Zimbabwe I would frequently visit the rural village where my father grew up. When visiting my family in the rural community, I noticed that they were isolated from local amenities and resources (hospitals, schools etc.) due to the poor condition of their road. At the age of six, this led me to promise my grandfather that when I grew up, I would build a road to connect the village with resources/amenities - I clearly didn’t quite understand how expensive a 50km road is!

When I read about the opportunity to provide the Ngoma Cell community with safe year-round access to amenities and resources via the proposed Nkegete trail bridge, I was reminded of my dream to help connect a community and make a lasting difference.

For the residents who live near the future Nkegete trail bridge location, the Gasayo River is synonymous with missed opportunity. During the rainy season, life can be cruel to the local communities who rely on crossing the river to reach an array of critical resources. The river will stay flooded and pose great danger to anyone who may attempt to cross it. During these times, the river becomes dangerous, and often deadly, to attempt the crossing. The people in the communities have some of their businesses and work disrupted as they wait for the water levels to recede so that they can cross since there isn't any safe crossing.

Most people turn back during the rainy season and don't even attempt, or let their children attempt, to cross.

As a result, children don't attend schools, located on the other side of the river. Other resources the communities become cut off from include the health centre and markets.

The Nkegete Suspended Bridge will provide safe, year-round access for the surrounding communities, providing access to opportunities to empower the communities out of poverty.

I am asking for donations towards my travel to Rwanda, accommodation, and expenses whilst in the country. Please help me deliver Civil Engineering necessities for those who need them most. Any contribution is greatly appreciated - thank you!

Watch a video of a previous, similar project my company has worked on by clicking here.