Bridges to Prosperity 2022

The Region

Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is an East African nation of 13.4 million people approximately the size of Massachusetts. Multiple flights and a four-hour drive heading northwest from the capital city of Kigali will bring you to the municipality of Nyabihu – and the site of the Kavumbu Trailbridge.

Nearly 4,000 people reside in the communities of Rutazigurwa, Sukiro, Kiraza-Murambi and Nyragokokora in the locality of Kavumbu. Primarily farmers who cultivate crops including tea, corn and potatoes, these community members must cross the Nyamukongoro River to sell their goods at local markets as well as access schools and medical centers. The river becomes dangerous during the rainy season and is often impassable for weeks at a time, cutting off access to critical resources. Attempts to cross the river during flooding have led to three deaths in the last three years alone. A bridge over the Nyamukongoro River will serve the surrounding communities by providing safe, year-round access to education, food and health care.

The Project

Our eight-person team traveled to Rwanda to partner with Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) on the construction of the Kavumbu Trailbridge to serve the needs of these communities. The trip was our company’s first build in Africa, further expanding our ability to Make a Difference for those in need both at home and abroad.

The team arrived in Rwanda ready to work, diving right in with surveying and anchoring cables. Despite some rainy days during their first week on the ground, the team cut and bent rebar hangers, backfilled the abutments with large rocks and launched the decking crossbeams. They also painted the tower supports blue, yellow and green – the colors of the Rwandan flag. They made significant progress during the second week, installing decking panels and fencing, tensioning cables and constructing retaining walls in partnership with B2P engineers and local volunteers.

The team also forged strong relationships with local community members, many of whom visited the construction site to watch the team at work. The team visited a nearby school to drop off supplies and spent the morning playing football and soccer and jumping rope with local children.

Our Impact

Once the team had put the finishing touches on the Kavumbu Trailbridge, it was time to celebrate. Community members of all ages attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of the bridge. Our team had the opportunity to watch residents cross the bridge for the first time and celebrate alongside them.

After two weeks of hard work, collaboration and lifelong memories, our team returned home knowing that the Kavumbu Trailbridge will serve these communities for many years to come.