By Alejandra Monge | Executive Director
This last weekend the community in El Progreso organized the first festival to pitch in some funds for the pedestrian bridge that they need so much for their river. The construction of a suspension bridge will allow people access to basic services and better development of this rural community.
Helena, Corcovado Foundation’s environmental education coordinator and member of the committee told us: “I cannot wait to stop seeing kids wet or moms with newborn babies on arms trying to cross the infamous river!” I must say Helena is one of these moms too. She and her 3-year-old toddler also have to face this river to make it to the clinic or to town. Crossing this river with the water up to your chest is a very dangerous task. Doing it with a baby on your arms is unbelievably treacherous.
There is so much excitement in the community regarding this bridge! And it shows! Some local leaders that had been long dormant and quiet have excelled and have taken the lead to make sure this project is a reality. Don and Carlos, leaders of the community mentioned that the local clinic and the high school will be relocated very closely to the bridge. “This is a true need for this community. This community will be a whole different thing with that bridge” said Don.
The community created an 8 members committee to back up the effort that the foundation has done to fundraise for this bridge. After 2 days of activities such as soccer matches, dances and karaoke, the community raised $500 USD. This funding will be added to the monies already collected by the foundation thru GlobalGiving and other donors.
250 hours of labor has been already donated by the locals to prepare the materials for the bridge and organize the fundraising activities. This community hasn’t done any work or projects together in what seems centuries. This project has united them and has inspire them to put their differences aside and get it done. If they achieve this they will have the grounds for much more work together towards the sustainable development of their community. And there is so much more that needs to be done. A drinking waters system, repairing the community center, rebuilding the roof of the school.
You can pitch in to this project at https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/osa-community-support-fund.
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