Building Strong Bridges for Educational Opportunities

How a dedicated group of donors and a committed community created a safe pathway for education in a remote area of East Africa

Close your eyes, and imagine a young child. A young child full of wonder, promise, and potential. A young innocent child staring off into a large world, eager to learn everything it has to offer.

Now imagine this child standing on the edge of a literal cliff, looking down into a deep gully that has been cut out of the landscape by treacherous monsoons. At the bottom of this gully here are jagged rocks, endless labyrinths of acacia bushes and dangerous debris, melding into a perilous network of thorny bramble. Imagine now that on the other side of this ravine is the only school within miles for this young child to attend, and that the only way to unlock their potential and feed their wonder is to cross a hazardous makeshift bridge comprised of rotting logs precariously nailed together by a few wooden planks. Imagine that this young child has to risk physical injury daily in order to receive an education.

Now, open your eyes and realize that this is the reality for over 900 students of Majevu Primary School in northern Tanzania.

The previous bridge to Majevu Primary School used by over 900 students and the community at large

The Bridge

Located in rural East Africa, the footbridge haphazardly constructed to navigate the students of Majevu Primary School was designed with the best intent, but after years of rot, termite damage, and overuse, the bridge was on the verge of total collapse. The fear was two-fold: Either the bridge could collapse, preventing the 900 students from crossing and making it more difficult for them to pursue their education, or it could collapse while the children were actually on the bridge causing tremendous harm. With either possibility unacceptable, the Mbesese Initiative was approached to find a solution.

Majevu Primary School students gather for morning assembly

The Challenges

The terrain of Tanzania can be unforgiving, as was the case in the landscape surrounding the Majevu Primary bridge. Dangerous drops, unstable land, rushing waters, and other natural barriers caused physical challenges, while the distance from any main roadway caused several logistical problems. The final challenge would be transitioning from the old bridge to the new, with the understanding that the unsafe old bridge would need to stay in operation as the new bridge was constructed. The ability of the team to transport materials or heavy equipment was hampered by a variety of literal and figurative roadblocks, but at the end of the day, the team knew these challenges needed to be overcome if the children were to ever have a safe pathway to their school.

The Plan

Understanding the very real challenges and obstacles ahead, the Mbesese Initiative teamed up with architecture and engineering students from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to design a new footbridge that was both safe for heavy daily use and capable of standing the test of time. As the plan began to develop, it became clear that the bridge would need to be constructed out of materials more resilient than the wood beams that were currently in place. The team focused on materials that would withstand varying weather patterns, resist damage from insects or animals, and create a sturdy pathway for the children to get to and from school. The design featured steel trusses and a reinforced concrete deck, specifically laid out in such a way that the bridge would withstand extensive use as well as varying environmental conditions. With the plan in place and after months of design, it was time to act.

Members of the California Polytechnic State University design team

The Community

However, there was still one challenge that needed to be addressed by the Mbesese Initiative team: Transportation of materials. With no access to a major roadway available to the team, all construction materials and tools would need to be physically transported by foot. With nothing more than our modest four-person construction crew alongside the Cal Poly team consisting of nine students, two faculty members and a few other individuals, the Mbesese team would rely on community volunteers to turn this dream into a reality. Teachers, villagers, parents, local businesses, hotels, and a wide network of volunteers rallied around the construction site, committed to helping secure the safe passage of the primary school students.

The Process

After months of planning and arranging volunteers, a large group of dedicated individuals descended upon Tanzania to assist with the construction of the new bridge. After clearing the brush, volunteers were able to dig the ditches necessary to erect the new foundations. As word spread around East Africa of the efforts being made by the community to create this new road to education for the children, more community members arrived eager to help. Bending, tying, and cutting steel rebar. Mixing, pouring, and setting concrete. Carrying tons of tools and materials. Hefting 1,000 lbs steel supports by hand. The arduous work of creating a safe bridge was meticulously and lovingly carried out over hundreds of man-hours, all the while, children continued to use the old bridge to travel back and forth to school. With the visual reminder of the importance of the work being carried out by the team, the bridge was constructed over the course of two long weeks.

The Difference

Following the careful planning and back-breaking work of construction, the new bridge was ready to officially open, just a few months after Majevu Primary School reached out to the Mbesese Initiative for help. The day of the unveiling and opening was electric. As the entire team gathered at the bridge for one last time, a sense of pride and hope overtook the group. Construction crew members brought family members, children played, employees from the hotel and local businesses joined, and dozens of volunteers congregated to take pictures, sign the bridge, and celebrate a momentous achievement. At long last, with teachers and students of Majevu Primary School by their side, the District Commissioner for the region arrived to dedicate the bridge. After a few vibrant speeches and enthusiastic songs, the bridge was opened. Every student in attendance eagerly waited for their turn to walk across the new bridge before returning to class. It was at that time that our team of American volunteers said goodbye and wished well to the community that they had come to love, the people of Tanzania. Through the endless dedication of the Cal Poly students and staff, the volunteers, the generous donations of over $10,000 to cover the cost of materials, tools, and labor, and the commitment of the entire community, a solid future and safe passage for the children of Majevu Primary school was created.

Mbesese construction crew and staff with the volunteer team on the completed bridge

No longer would the community need to imagine a child staring down a dangerous abyss in hopes of creating a brighter future for themselves. Through the caring dedication of a global community of individuals from all walks of life, the children of Tanzania would have a safe and open path to opportunity for generations to come – and none of it would have been possible without your care, support, and donations. On behalf of the entire Mbesese Initiative, we simply cannot that you enough. Asante sana.