What Does a Bridge Mean to Women in a Walking World?

How does a bridge help local women in a walking world? BtGA founder Harmon Parker decided to find out first hand by interviewing four village women at a new bridge site to be completed this summer. Their answers were unanimous: the bridge will provided safe and uninterrupted access to school for their children. During the dry season, when the Nzoia River is a quiet stream, children are able to use inner tubes to cross through the swift currents. But now that the rains have returned to nourish their crops, the river floods to a dangerous and impassable level almost without warning. During the long rains, children are prevented from attending their grade school on the other side of the river. These interruptions leave them behind in their studies and could lead to drop out. Try to Imagine your children missing school for a month or more!

Bridges are beautiful things!  

The less visible, but equally-damaging effect of the high water is that these women are prevented from accessing larger and more profitable outdoor markets a short distance away on the other side of the river. With this new bridge, they will be able to sell their crops for a much better profit. Women in this particular region of Kenya plant and harvest crops that not only feed their family, but also generate income to pay school fees!

These women, Lucy, Emily, Florence, and Jaclyn missed the opportunity to continue their secondary education because their families lacked the financial resources to pay school fees. These women deeply desire to earn money so that their children have the opportunity to graduate. By the end of July this bridge, their bridge, will standing proudly with the promise of hope for their dreams. The generous support of donors like you have made this dream a reality for another community.