Bridge Construction in Madland

I apologize for the delay in updates, but as you can see by the photos, we’ve been very busy here in Morarano!  We are entering the last phase of construction on the bridge, and should be done in the next few weeks.  Overall, things are going well.  As you may have guessed, constructing a bridge in rural Madagascar is no small feat, and we have run into our fare share of problems along the way.  We’ve had issues ranging from the weather, differences in opinions of the hired workers, alcohol abuse on the job, to the waning presence of the villagers (who are obligated to provide 25% of the overall cost of the bridge in terms of manual labor, ie hauling the stone bricks, gravel, sand, and any other materials needed for construction to the work site, as the construction site is quite a ways from the end of the navigable ‘road’).  There has also been a lack of participation of the contractor who designed the bridge and provided the team of skilled workers, which has led to much of the responsibility of managing the workers, the villagers, and keeping track of supplies and progress…to me!  Like I said, we have been very busy.  I have learned alot these last few months.  Not only about the construction process itself, but about project management (Malagasy style, which is much more difficult than American style…let me tell ya. Americans are born with the concept of punctuality, schedules, and foresight already ingrained in us...these concepts are still very foreign to the rural Malagasy mind.). 

Keeping the villagers motivated to work and see the project through has been the biggest challenge of all.  While they were excited by the idea of the bridge and enthusiastically agreed to fulfill their share of the work when the construction began; it is a full time job getting them to follow through with these promises.  Unlike in America, contracts here are just pieces of paper.  If you don’t follow through with something, there aren’t really any negative consequences, other than the fact that work is left unfinished.  We have had a constant cycle of meetings about the participation of the villagers throughout the process.  When the numbers drop, we hold a meeting, talk about the work that still needs to be done, and for the next week we get a strong showing of participation.  After two weeks, the numbers dwindle once again, and we must once again congregate and remind everyone that the bridge is in fact not done yet.  I work with the villagers everyday.  I help haul rocks and sand, keep people motivated, and provide lunch for everyone that shows up (which is a big deal.  We are in the hunger season right now, which means most people are only eating cassava, so a lunch of rice and beans is a treat). , I work on all levels of the project; from writing the 8 million Ariary checks to the contractor in order to purchase supplies, to facilitating meetings with the villagers, to mediating arguments between the workers, to hauling 50lb. bags of sand on my head (my neck muscles are in form—carrying things on your head is actually much easier than on your shoulder or back, no joke).   While participation of the villagers might dwindle at times, I know that everyone is still behind the project, and recognize the value of having a bridge of this quality crossing the river.  I honestly think people are impressed at how far we've come in the last few months.  The people in my region are not used to projects of this scale, and they are proud of the fact that we've accomplished what we have so far.  While it will be a relief and a victory for all of us when the bridge is completed, it will also be a little sad for me.  I have become close to a lot of the bridge workers, as well as villagers that I might not have otherwise been in contact with so frequently if it hadn’t been for this project.  I will really miss working with them everyday.  

Once again, thank you all so much for your support!  Enjoy the pictures! Amin’ny manaraka koa! (Until next time!)

pre-construction...

Hauling bags full of sand across the river in attempts to dam off the area for the foundation of the first pillar...

Foundation finished on the east side, now working on the 2nd pillar in the middle of the river...

Look how far we've come!

the foundations have been built, and the 4 pillars in the water are 70% done..

...now it's time to dig some holes for the foundations of the pillars on the west shore....

taking a little break....

the villagers dug this hole after hauling sand from our original site became too tiresome...turns out there is tons of sand a few meters below the surface of the land near the bridge site...

 

some workers carrying the 110lb bags of cement to the work site...

..working on the foundation of the final pillar on the west shore..

...these are the longrines which will provide the base of the bridge....they are ridiculously heavy, and need to be hauled to the bridge site....we're still trying to figure out if we can use someone's cows to help haul them...either that or we need about 10 men per tree

Vololo, one of our female rock workers breaking up gravel to mix with the cement..

it's not all hard work...

moving rocks in a slightly damed area downstream of the work site in an attempt to get the river level to drop and make work a little easier..(and yes, this did actually make a difference)

the villagers filling sacks with sand.  These sacks are used to dam off work areas, as well as proved a trail across the river to make the transport of materials easier

one of the villagers helping out with lunch preparation...

Me with the 2 mason's helpers.  They are extremely entertaining to work with.

Arahabaina!! Congratulations!!!

As of September 28th, we reached our funding goal!! I would like to especially thank my family, friends, the RPCVs of CT (Maureen Shanley!), and EVERYONE who donated, or even just spread the word and helped advertise the project.  I really appreciate everyone's help; and I promise to keep this blog updated as often as possible with pictures and updates of the construction process.  It is a great relief to have the money secure; and to be able to move forward in the construction process.  In fact, the community and myself have already begun preparing the work site, as the community is responsible for 25% of the cost of the project in the form of manual labor and the gathering of natural resources that exist in the area.  We have already begun hauling sand to the worksite, as well as crushing up the large boulders at the work site to use during construction.  Now that we have the funds to purchase the rest of the necessary tools/supplies; the real construction can begin!! The rainy season is still a few months off, which should leave us with enough time to fully complete the bridge before the cyclones hit (hopefully!).  Here are some pictures of the work which has been done over these last few weeks... 

Rakoto, the local mason breaking up the boulders at the bridge site.

After a week he has succeeded in breaking up a few of the boulders and forming almost perfectly shaped bricks.  Tena mahay izy.

While the masons are hard at work on one side of the river, the villagers from my Fokontany (which consists of 5 villages) are each contributing in the hauling of sand from one site to the construction site.  Unfortunately, the good sand (fine grains, no dirt) is a decent distance from the worksite, so the process is long and arduous.  Now that summer is upon us (and it is hoooot), it can be difficult to accomplish much in a single day.  However, the people have been very mazoto (hard-working) so far, and we have accomplished quite a bit in the last week. Mind you, there is no good trail (for a wagon) or road from the  sand collection site to the work site, so it is all hauled by hand (or head). 

Some days the workers consist of the ladies and the kiddies...

...some days it's just the kiddies...

And other days the big guns show up.

...and I am also there every day.  I have gotten very good at carrying sand on my head.  I think my posture has improved significantly over these last few weeks.

The sand collection site...

The tin box is called a "daba", and it the measurement used for sand and rock.  We need 1150 dabas of sand....

However, after 2 weeks, we already have 600 dabas!

Progress!

Thank you so much RPCV CT!  The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Connecticut have generously donated $1000 to the project!  As of now, we are $3,200 down, with $4,900 left to fund.  I appreciate everyone's help stateside! I am hoping we will get this thing funded in the next month or so, but it all depends on you!  Now, let me fill you all in on the work that has been going on here in Madagascar in preparation for the construction of the bridge. 

Due to Peace Corps policy, none of the money donated for the bridge can be touched until the project has been fully funded.  Because of this constraint, we are unable to begin ordering or purchasing any materials in advance; but we can begin prepping the  site, and stockpiling the resources which exist at the project site.  Right now, myself, the bridge contractor, and my counterparts with Madagascar National Parks have been holding a series of meetings in order to break down the work load and responsibility of the villagers who this bridge will benefit (they accepted 25% of the project costs, in the form of natural resources and labor).  We are trying to put together a schedule for the preparation of the site, and another schedule for once the bridge is funded, and the purchasing of the materials is necessary.    In order to make all of our lives easier; we have decided to form a committee.  This committee will consist of myself, the contractor, the Chef Sectaur of my region, the Head of Development for MNP, as well as some of the lehibes (the important people in my village, and valley) of my region.  This way multiple people will share the responsibility in handling the money, purchases, and making sure everything we purchase is accounted for.  The meeting in which the committee will be made official will be held this Thursday in my village, preceded by a meeting tomorrow afternoon solidifying the schedule of pre-construction prep work.  Here are some pics of one of our exciting meetings in action.....

With the help of my Peace Corps Supervisor, we laid out the goals for the bridge project, and outlined what is expected of the villagers.

Me, looking over the bridge design, waiting for the meeting to begin.  This photo is courtesy of another PCV who came out to visit my site.

Funding Status update.....

I would like to thank everyone who has donated to this project so far!! We have raised $2,000, which is 1/4 of the total bridge cost.  I appreciate everyone's help, and encourage you all to continue to spread the word!!! Remember, every little bit helps.  Misaotra betsaka!!!

About the Project....

            25km from a paved road and electricity are 6 small subsistence farming villages in the district of Morarano.  Simply living is work in this area of the world, and that work is made harder by the lack of a structurally sound bridge across the Sahanambo River in this area.  A bridge will directly benefit the 1,100 inhabitants of this valley as well as the 800+ transients from the neighboring Namoly Valley.  Right now the hazardous river crossing must be made daily by students going to school, farmers going to their ricefields, villagers going to the market to buy and sell crops, anyone trying to access public transportation, and anyone seeking medical care.

The Sahanambo River in April 2012 (at the end of the rainy season ).

 

The Sahanambo River during cyclone season (photo taken in January 2012).

          From an economic point of view, this bridge could be a boon to the local economy because this is also a local crossing point for all tourists entering Andringitra National Park through the west entrance.  Right now, it is seldom used by tourists because it is difficult to access.

Map of Andringitra National Park (Morarano and the Sahanambo River are on the bottom right.)

However, 50% of all park entrance fees go toward projects that benefit the local community; a boost in tourism could improve the lives and the economy of the region.
     The situation is worse during the rainy season because the river's current grows in strength and the water level rises rapidly and significantly.   Children often stay home from school rather than risk injury when crossing the river.  The lack of bridge poses a safety, health, education, and economic threat to the community. My community is committed to this project; and will contribute 25% of the overall cost of the project through labor, local materials, and transport of materials.
Project donations will go toward materials, skilled laborers, and transportation of materials from the nearest city (which are unavailable at site).  Not only will this benefit the community in terms of safety, health, education, and the economy; but it will provide the local participants with  newly acquired skills in managing and implementing a large scale construction project.

 After meeting with a local contractor from the nearest city, the plan for a structurally sound bridge has been drawn up, and the cost determined.  The total amount needed to construct the bridge is $8,161.  This is a large chunk of change, but remember, every little bit helps. If you are interested in donating to this project, please visit https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=684-134.  Stay posted for updates on the project, as well as more pictures to come of the village, people affected, and  work progress once the project is funded.  If you have questions about this specific project, feel free to contact me directly at etoomey11@hotmail.com.