breaking barriers to education and health in Rwanda
As part of COWI's ongoing commitment to giving back and helping communities prosper, a team of 10 from across the company will be volunteering with Bridges to Prosperity (B2P). On October 2nd, we will embark on a journey to Rwanda, where we will have two weeks to build a trail bridge that will not only connect two sides of a river but will also connect communities, enabling easier access to schools, medical facilities, and marketplaces.
This project is part of B2P’s broader mission to eliminate rural isolation by building trail bridges across Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia, connecting millions and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The trail bridge we are going to build will provide a much-needed safe crossing over the Warufu River for several local communities in the Gicumbi district of Rwanda. The team’s work aims to make it possible for people to cross the river safely throughout the year, especially during the rainy season when the river often floods and becomes hazardous.
For the people living nearby, crossing the Warufu River during the rainy season has been a big challenge. The river floods, blocking access to important places such as schools, health centers, and markets. Because of this, children often miss school, and many community members have trouble getting to work or running their businesses. The Rebero Suspension Bridge will change that by connecting these communities and helping about 3,220 people get where they need to go safely, no matter the weather.
The bridge will be a steel suspension structure spanning 72 meters across the river. Built only by hand and with the help of locals, this structure will provide year-round safe passage where none currently exists. Materials will be sourced locally where possible, ensuring the solution is environmentally responsible. By removing a major obstacle, the volunteers and local community aim to improve daily life and support long-term development for villages in the area.
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