2010 Project: Canchias Agricultural Bridge

Country: Honduras, Community: Canchias, Cost: $88,000, Funding sources to date: ASCE, Stanley Consultants, Project Fundraising Event.

The community of Canchias lies in the mountainous central region of Honduras at the foothills of a government protected cloud forest. Agricultural and dairy land is scarce in this mountainous region. As a result, the residents scrape by sustaining themselves below the poverty level by raising just enough food to feed their families. Few people own land and are therefore forced to seek work in the overcrowded cities, resulting in displaced families.

Thru the resources of NGO, HTH has purchased and made available 110 acres of land for the people of Canchias and surrounding communities to use as agricultural and dairy land. Unfortunately, because the region is so mountainous, it is only accessible by crossing the Yure River. While a footbridge is present, it is unstable for the farmers who have to carry heavy loads and for children carrying the free dairy products back to their schools. In addition, while the river can be forded during the six month long dry season and a few months out of the rainy season, crossing thru the river causes expensive damage to the underside of wheeled vehicles and is dangerous for fully loaded beasts of burden. The community of Canchias has therefore requested the assistance of EWB to work with them to design a 120’ vehicle bridge over the Yure River to access this land.

In February and August of 2009 a small team of engineers from the EWB-CPC visited this community thru the assistance of HTH. While in this community they were able to meet with the village president, farmers, dairy workers and school children. They heard first-hand stories of how people had fallen off the bridge while carrying heavy loads. It is hoped that the 120’ vehicle bridge can be built prior to this year’s rainy season. Target construction dates are March thru May of 2010. A total of 686 people living near to the proposed crossing, will be directly affected by this new bridge Year-round access to an existing dairy farm provided by the Rotary Foundation will allow herd production to increase from 46 head of cattle to over 200. This will also allow more schools in the area to receive free milk. In addition, farmers will be able to increase crop production, and purchase vehicles to transport crops to market, and thereby raise the region’s nutritional levels and economic stability for generations to come.

Thru the assistance of HTH, the community of Canchias has eagerly agreed to volunteer all necessary manpower, gather and store materials, and provide any required pre-construction work prior to EWB arrival. They are united in the hope of this project becoming a reality and eagerly anticipate EWB support. 100% of donations go directly into supporting the needs of the project.

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