Project # 009 - Bole Bridge

Location: Ethiopia; Addis Ababa Region; Kaliti Sub-City, Bole Bubula
Bridge Sponsor: Bailey's Crossroad Rotary Club, Virginia
Other Donors: 22 Rotary clubs from Virginia and Washington State; Rotary International; District 7610; Bridges to Prosperity Members.
Local Collaboration partners: Kaliti Sub-City, Bole Bubula

Bridge name: Bole Bubula - Glan-Gurra
River name: Akaki
Bridge span: 80 meters (263 feet)
Population served by bridge: 25,000
Expected traffic: Heavy, 120 crossings per hour

Bridge Story: The modern airport of Addis Ababa, Bole International, separates the village of Bole Bubula from the city perimeters, forcing hours of walking along a bumpy dirt road for those who wish to travel to the city. The Akaki River separates villagers living across the river in Glan-Gurra further, adding crossing time and hazard to the journey should they wish to sell their goods, send their children to school, or seek treatment for the sick.

Just imagine having to send your own child across the raging rapids of the Akaki River everyday just to attend school. Just imagine loosing a portion of your crop along with some of your donkeys every year trying to get your goods to market. Just imagine a caring daughter not being able to help her mother to the hospital, due to the risk of drowning.

But, the villagers in Kaliti don't need to imagine this tragedy. For they live with this reality every day. So, the elders from the communities of both sides of the river gathered one day in October, 2003 under the shade of a grove of trees by the river bank. When asked what they really needed and were willing to work the hardest for, they replied: "A bridge will open our eyes, for now we are in the dark."

We shall build a bridge with them, so that they, and future generations may see; Not only their way to markets, schools, and clinics, but light the way to learn how to build this bridge with their own knowledge, skill, and labor. And when this task is done, a small plaque will give thanks to those that made all of this possible: The Rotary Club of Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia along with a matching grant from Rotary International.