How many bodies of water do you cross en route to your local hospital? If you have never thought about it before, there is a good chance it's because you effortlessly cruise over bridge upon bridge without ever considering the alternative.
Imagine that you are in rural Ethiopia. A river three football fields wide is between your sick child and the closest hospital. What will you do?
A $10,000 footbridge could solve this dilemma. Yet countless communities in the developing world lack this simple structure.
Bridges to Prosperity aims to resolve this issue. The Denver-based nonprofit works to provide "isolated communities with access to essential health care, education and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers."
With nearly 100 bridges in 14 countries, Bridges to Prosperity has had a measurable impact. Studies show that an average footbridge results in a 12 percent increase in community school enrollment and an 18 percent increase in people treated in local health care facilities. In the two years following a footbridge opening, communities have 24 percent more women employed, 15 percent more businesses in surrounding communities and overall, per capita income increases an average of 10 to 20 percent.
The Diplomatic Courier sat down with Bridges to Prosperity Executive Director Avery Bang to discuss the organization's work.
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Bridging the Gap
September 6, 2013
How many bodies of water do you cross en route to your local hospital? If you have never thought about it before, there is a good chance it's because you effortlessly cruise over bridge upon bridge without ever considering the alternative.
Imagine that you are in rural Ethiopia. A river three football fields wide is between your sick child and the closest hospital. What will you do?
A $10,000 footbridge could solve this dilemma. Yet countless communities in the developing world lack this simple structure.
Bridges to Prosperity aims to resolve this issue. The Denver-based nonprofit works to provide "isolated communities with access to essential health care, education and economic opportunities by building footbridges over impassable rivers."
With nearly 100 bridges in 14 countries, Bridges to Prosperity has had a measurable impact. Studies show that an average footbridge results in a 12 percent increase in community school enrollment and an 18 percent increase in people treated in local health care facilities. In the two years following a footbridge opening, communities have 24 percent more women employed, 15 percent more businesses in surrounding communities and overall, per capita income increases an average of 10 to 20 percent.
The Diplomatic Courier sat down with Bridges to Prosperity Executive Director Avery Bang to discuss the organization's work.
