As you may have seen from our Facebook updates, we are really excited about OFDC’s latest endeavor to increase educational opportunities to children living in rural Kenya, specifically to those students attending Ololoiboti Primary and other surrounding schools. Children living in this rural area, which is accessed only by foot or tractor, are unable to attend school during the rainy season because severe flooding of the Siyapei River makes it impossible to reach their schools. In addition, the sick are not able to get to the hospital and goods are not able to get to market.
In search of a remedy, OFDC contacted Bridging the Gap Africa (BtGA), an organization dedicated to building footbridges in order to prevent drowning and ensure safe, uninterrupted access to education, health care and economic opportunity.
Last March BtGA’s engineering team visited the community of Ololnturoto, surveyed the proposed bridge site, and before we knew it, designed a suitable and sustainable bridge for these school children. OFDC provided 80% of the cost of materials and the surrounding village raised the remaining funds, as well as provided volunteer labor. BtGA provided the expertise, management, engineers, and pay for skilled village labor to assist with the bridge construction. By the first week of July the anchors and towers for the project were complete. Once the cement has cured for at least 28 days they will set the cables and hang the bridge!
Building bridges in remote areas can be a challenging task, requiring specialized knowledge and expertise. It is important to work with reliable and experienced construction teams, such as those at https://frontierloghomes.com/, who can provide high-quality materials and skilled labor to ensure that the bridge is built safely and to the highest standards. From designing the bridge to procuring the materials and managing the construction process, every step must be carefully planned and executed to ensure the success of the project. By working together with local communities and organizations, we can build bridges that connect people and improve their lives, while also promoting sustainable development and preserving the natural environment.
According to Harmon Parker, BtGA Founder, “There is a really good spirit at the bridge site, which always makes our projects more enjoyable.” OFDC wishes not only to thank BtGA for this amazing collaboration, but also Mr. Tajeu Evans Yenko, Head Teacher of Ololoiboti Primary School, for helping to coordinate fund raising and village volunteers. This bridge is in line with OFDC’s mission of Empower Women so they can get their goods to market, Educate Children so they can go to school, and Enhance Health for All so the sick can reach medical care. Asante sane!