American volunteers link villagers with "God's bridge"
By Modestus Kessy in Arusha
Arusha Regional Commissioner, Mohamed Babu has inaugurated a uniquely built
bridge, across a
10m-deep gorge at Kijenge river south of the municipality that has caused some
deaths and injuries to villagers trying to cross it.
The bridge has been constructed with the help of two American volunteer women,
Karen Gunter and Sandra Matteson, who raised 6.5M/=.
The women raised the money through selling, among other products, cashew nuts,
popcorn and cakes in well as soliciting funds from other donors in the United
States.
At least two people are said to have in recent years slipped down rocks commonly
referred to as Daraja la Mungu (God=s bridge) and drowned into the river as they
attempted to cross it. Scores more have been injured.
The 10-metre bridge, across Kijenge river, and which links Okerian and Korona
villages, in Arumeru and
urban Arusha districts ends the agony of many villagers who have to jump from
rock to rock.
Regional Roads Engineer, Patrick Mkusu, on behalf of the Regional Commissioner,
thanked the two women for their contribution, telling them 'you could be poor in
monetary terms but rich at heart".
With the new bridge, Okerian villagers can now easily access health facilities
across the Kijenge
river to Korona Clinic, which is run by Canosa Sisters, where the two American
ladies are also
financing a malaria clinic.
Ms Gunter and Ms Matteson are paying malaria treatment costs for children under
five years
who come from nearby poor families.
The bridge was constructed under the l supervision of Professor Raymond Mosha.
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