Building Luca's Crossing
Our long-standing partnership with Bridging the Gap Africa springs into action again as we participate together in a very significant project on the Talek River in the Masai Mara region. The construction of 'Luca's Crossing' is a memorial to the life, creativity and talent of Luca Harrell who left us in October, 2013. Funds from Luca's friends and family together with additional generous support to Africa Exchange's Development Initiatives will enable Masai communities seperated by this frequently flooded river to have safe access to education, healthcare and market commerce.
An innovative design by BTG and the mobilization of efforts and contributions from the surrounding community will ensure that this bridge withstands tree strikes during flooding periods, a problem previously encountered on this river. Three phases of the project are now complete, namely, (1) survey and community mobilization; (2) design and fabrication; (3) anchor and tower installation. The final phase, stringing the bridge and community celebration will take place in late January following the cessation of the short rains.
Many thanks to BTG founder and friend Harmon Parker, engineer Eric Bonet, and site supervisor Sylvester Ouko for their talents and dedication to the process as well as the countless community workers who gather sand, gravel and use their strength as an instrument of progress.
