What changes a life most? Access.
Continental Crossings is the University of Iowa’s University Chapter of Bridges to Prosperity, a non-profit organization based in Colorado. Each year, we
aim to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of a footbridge in the developing country of Nicaragua. We develop the footbridge design ourselves as civil engineers-in-training with the aid of Bridges to Prosperity's Technical Mentors, implement the design by sending
a small group to the proposed site, and work alongside the community for eight weeks of the summer.
Our vision is a world where poverty is no longer perpetuated by rural isolation.
Measurable Impact:
*** 12% more children enroll in school
*** 15% increase in local businesses
*** 18% increase in women employed
*** 24% increase in healthcare treatment
(Source: bridgestoprosperity.org)
This year we will be building for the community of Las Lagunas, Nicaragua.
Map of the Community of Las Lagunas.
Las Lagunas has a unique location because the community sits atop a mountain and is encompassed completely by a river. So, the community is frequently isolated from the municipality of Boaco. Access to Boaco is crucial because many of the men and
women work, attend the small high school and college, sell their goods at the market, and receive healthcare. Due to the rainy season, the river rises for six to nine months of the year. This makes it extremely difficult or impossible for the members
of this community to earn a steady income, complete their education, or recieve critical healthcare.
Soley Thorsteinsdottir holds the survey rod as the rest of the team gathers information about the area.
Bridging the Gap
Last summer, our travel team assessed the river closest to the municipality of Boaco. We chose a location near the stepping stones that the community currently uses as means of crossing. The river was extremely low and very easy to wade through while we
were there.
The view across the river towards Las Lagunas. The red line indicates the high water line during the most recent major flood.
The river rose nearly 13 ft.
However, during the rainy season the river can rise dramatically. About two years ago, the community had constructed a temporary bridge out of two fallen trees. The bridge collapsed and killed two men trying to cross.
Anthony Emigh, this year’s project manager, explains the design process and shows a prototype of the footbridge.
Footbridge design by Quinn McNutt, this year's design lead, and Anthony Emigh. Dimensions listed are in meters.
Community leaders and children alike were excited and showed great interest in our initial design of the footbridge. This year the design will consist of two tiers on the right side of the design and three tiers on the left side.
Hazell Amador, Natalie Jones, Hazell’s mother, and Quinn McNutt are surrounded by Hazell’s three young children. Hazell insisted on hosting two travel team members in her home while they were there to survey.
Meet Hazell, a community leader in Las Lagunas
Hazell is a single mother of three energetic children. She lives with her mother and father in their three room home. Everyday, Hazell wakes up well before sunrise to prepare food for the day with her mother. During the work week, Hazell travels to Boaco
with her father at the crack of dawn. While her father is in town working, Hazell goes to nursing classes at the small college.
This bridge would make her dreams of finishing nursing school and supporting her family come true.
For more infortmation about Continental Crossings visit:
ContinentalCrossings.com.
For more information about Bridges to Prosperity visit:
bridgestoprosperity.org.
