The Challenge
In the Rwandan village of Gatongati, if you need to get to school, fetch medical supplies, or get your goods to market, you must cross the river. From March to May, Rwanda experiences a rainy season, causing the river’s water level to rise significantly. At its new height, the river becomes dangerous and impassable. Now, you must decide if reaching the other side of the river is worth risking your life.
No one should have to make a decision like that, but many people still have to. This is where organizations like Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) come in. B2P is an organization driven to connect isolated, rural communities through infrastructure. When Jim Mills was offered by his employer, Jacobs Engineering, to join their mission with B2P to travel to Rwanda and build a bridge over the river in Gatongati, it was a no-brainer.
It Takes A Village
With the trip engineered in February and scheduled for early June, the crew had less than six months to plan and prepare for the journey ahead. As a seasoned volunteer, Jim knew that packing the right gear was essential. In the remote village of Gatongati, there would be no outlet or store in case their gear gave out.
Jim knew one piece of equipment his crew would rely on was a pair of tough, hard-working gloves, so he reached out to us at Give’r. When Bubba, our CEO/Founder, heard Jim’s request, he was more than on board. The opportunity to be even a small part of such a great cause was impossible to pass up. Before long, 25 pairs of Lightweight Give’r Gloves with “B2P” branded on their inside cuffs were on their way to Jim and his crew.
The Early Days
The crew of 10 with Jacobs and B2P reached Rwanda on June 2nd, staying in the nearby town of Kigali before the bridge construction was set to start. On June 9th, it was time to kick things off. When they got to the building site, which was well-prepared by B2P, Jim and his crew were welcomed with open arms by local workers. With spirits high and Give'r gloves in hand, the newly bonded crew was ready to go.
Day 1 of construction was all about laying the groundwork for success. Tasked with building a suspension bridge, the team began by installing the four main suspension cables, which are essential in ensuring the bridge’s strength and stability.
By day 3, the crew was off to a great start. Everyone on the team worked side by side, especially for the tougher tasks; like pulling the four heavy 1 1/8” suspension cables over the top of the abutment concrete wall. Inspired by the Give'r spirit, Jim helped teach the local workers how to clamp rebars to secure the deck.
Halfway There
Day 5 of construction involved the team splitting into two groups, each starting from opposite ends of the bridge. Everyone got hands-on experience securing the deck panels and helped train many of the amazing B2P community workers. Most importantly, they assisted in training the Bridge Committee Members, who are responsible for the future maintenance of the bridge. Even the toughest bridge out there needs occasional TLC to stay performing at its best, just like our gloves.
By the end of day 6, the team had knocked out the remaining decking. Combining efforts, the Jacobs and B2P teams worked to level the deck and re-secure the main cables, which included grouting them into the concrete abutments. The next day, the team took a much-needed break to visit a local school for young children, where their spirits were refreshed and renewed.
This experience reminded them that this project was about more than building a bridge. It was about building futures, creating moments of hope and leaving a legacy that spans far beyond concrete and cables.
At The Finish Line
On day 8, the team continued their hard work and successfully installed the safety cable on the crossbeams. They also resumed attaching wire ties to the top, center and bottom of the fence. The next day, everyone was focused on getting the bridge ready for its opening ceremony. The team secured fencing, applied touch up paint to posts, removed scaffolding, and cleaned up the site. Their hard work was complete.
The team then came together for a well-earned barbeque lunch. It was a perfect celebration of everything they had built: not just physical infrastructure but emotional connections too.
New Day, New Beginnings:
After a night of heavy rain, the skies cleared just enough to welcome a moment the community had long awaited. With the ceremonial ribbon stretched across the gateway, the scissors were raised and with a single cut, the Gatongati Bridge was officially opened.
Hand in hand, officials, Jacobs team members, B2P staff, and local villagers crossed the bridge together, into a new era and an even brighter future.
“The Give’r term meaning “to give it your all” definitely applied to our team on this once-in-a-lifetime bridge build volunteer experience.” - Jim Mills
Closing Remarks
We want to thank Jacobs, Bridges to Prosperity, and Jim Mills for allowing us to tag along to Rwanda and be a part of this rad accomplishment. We're honored to have worked alongside these organizations, and hope to kick ass together again.
Jacobs: https://www.jacobs.com/
Bridges to Prosperity (B2P): https://bridgestoprosperity.org/
