2023 Bridges to Prosperity: Nyagisumo Footbridge
Our group of volunteer engineers constructed a footbridge in Rwanda's Southern Province to benefit 2,300 local residents.
Muraho ("hello," in Kinyarwandan)! Our flagship 2023 volunteer effort – part of the Thornton Tomasetti Gives Back initiative in collaboration with Bridges to Prosperity – is complete!
About THE Nyagisumo Footbridge
Our team traveled to the East African country of Rwanda to construct the Nyagisumo footbridge near the town of Nyamagabe. Located in Rwanda's Southern Province and with a population of about 2,300, the town is almost 125 miles (200 kilometers) and a five-hour drive from the capital city of Kigali.
The Rurongora River flows through the site, which is in a steep valley, amid rolling hills. Even during the dry season, the river is a challenge for pedestrians to cross, as its waters flow quickly and the riverbanks are steep. During the rainy season, the river frequently floods, making crossing dangerous – if not impossible – and separating residents from schools, clinics and critical services.
Rurongora River in Nyagisumo, Rwanda.Courtesy Bridges to Prosperity
Team Objectives
We'll arrived in Rwanda on July 1 and were on-site from July 2 to 14. Our primary goal was to safely construct the Nyagisumo footbridge, an 80-meter-long cable-suspended bridge, over the Rurongora River.
Our Team
Our team represented all levels of experience and a wide range of Thornton Tomasetti practices and offices around the United States. We shared a desire to apply our skills to make a positive impact on the world, connect with the local community and explore a new region of our planet.
- Senior Principal Marguerite Pinto, New York – Project Lead
- Senior Principal Jeff Elliott, Dallas – Safety Lead
- Vice President Chase Anderson, Tampa – Construction Lead
- Senior Engineer Camille Matile, Boston/Seattle – Logistics Lead
- Engineer Margia Sanchez, Fort Lauderdale – Material Lead
- Senior Associate Joshua Martin-McNaughton, Portland - QAQC Lead
- Project Engineer Frank Fang, New York – Communications Lead
- Project Engineer Samantha Eng, San Francisco – Education Lead
- Senior Engineer Esther Martin Juberias, Philadelphia – Team Building Lead
- Talent Acquisition Associate Sally McGuire, Dallas – Community Engagement Lead
Murakoze ("thank you")! We enjoyed sharing our experience and helping the Nyamagabe community.