We have been excited to follow the progress of a bridge project in Chari Chari, Bolivia that Bridges to Prosperity is building! Bridges to Prosperity is a nonprofit whose mission is to ‘provide isolated communities with access to essential healthcare, education, and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers.’
Mano a Mano developed a collaborative partnership with B2P last year to assist them in shipping their bridge-building supplies from our US warehouse to Bolivia. These supplies are now being used to build this bridge in Chari Chari, as well as a number of other projects in Bolivia.
Mano a Mano volunteers loading cable for building bridges in summer 2011
Chari Chari is a small community in the municipality of Omereque (where Mano a Mano has constructed in a number of projects, you can see a few below at the bottom of this post). To get to the central municipal town, where many of the primary services and markets are, it is a long and dangerous walk during dry season and almost impossible when the river is flowing.
Bridge location in Chari Chari (photo taken by Bridges to Prosperity)
Because of these circumstances, Bridges to Prosperity is constructing a 137-meter suspended footbridge to connect Chari Chari; it is expected to have more than 300 people crossing each day.
Mano a Mano heavy equipment will be helping to level the groundwork on both sides of the river.
Bridges to Prosperity has a page on their website with more details and photos of this project. We look forward to seeing the progress on this project!
Mano a Mano Projects in Omereque
Atajados (we have built 153 small water ponds):
Aerial view of 6 Omereque water ponds
Water pond in Omereque