My name is Rob, and I am a civil engineer currently working for the Town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Years ago, while working for the American Bridge Company, I got involved with a non-profit, Bridges to Prosperity, and helped them build a footbridge in Veraguas, Panama. That experience left a lasting impression on me, showing firsthand how a simple bridge can transform a community’s daily life. Since then, I’ve moved, started a family, and continued my career, but I’ve always wanted to return to using my engineering and construction skills to help people in need.

Now, I am partnering with Engineers in Action to build a suspended span footbridge in a remote community in Tinguipaya, Bolivia. This area faces limited access and high-water concerns, making travel dangerous and isolating families from essential resources. A new bridge will cut commute times, provide safe access to previously unreachable areas, and open up opportunities for work, education, and healthcare. The funds raised will go directly toward bridge materials—steel cables, concrete anchorages, wood decking, hardware, and safety netting—as well as safety equipment for workers, including fall protection harnesses, tie-off hooks, hard hats, and gloves. These resources are vital for both the construction and the safety of everyone involved.

I’m asking for your help to make this bridge a reality. Past Engineers in Action projects have shown that a new footbridge can increase a community’s labor market income by 30%, farm profits by 75%, healthcare treatment by 18%, and school attendance by 12%. Your support will make a real, lasting difference for the people of Tinguipaya, Bolivia. Thank you for considering a donation and for helping us build a safer, more connected future.

This fundraiser is just to fund the Tinguipaya suspension bridge. For more information on Engineers in Action, please visit their website: https://www.engineersinaction.org/