Africa-Press – Rwanda. Communities in Kajeje, Mbirizi, Mataba, and Cyanika villages, home to more than 4,198 residents, are now connected safely and reliably, thanks to the newly inaugurated Kajeje Trail Bridge over the Bukaba River in Muhanga District. Children can now attend school, and commercial activities can be conducted without fear of drowning.
The 45-metre suspended bridge, built within two weeks, was officially unveiled on June 5 in a joyous ceremony attended by hundreds of community members, students, local officials.
This community project was brought to Muhanga communities by Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), in partnership with Dar Al-Handassah Consultants (Shair and Partners), DAR, a Multinational Engineering company operating in Rwanda, together with their sister companies TYLin and Introba.
Constructed in Kigarama Cell, Kajeje Village, Cyeza Sector, the bridge now enables children to attend school safely, farmers to access markets, and residents to travel between villages without the danger of river crossings during heavy rains.
“We used to fear for our children’s lives whenever they went to school,” said Reverien Musengimana, a Kajeje resident.
“The river would overflow, making it impossible to cross. Today, we are grateful, this bridge will change everything.”
Cartas Murere, one of ten local community members trained in bridge maintenance, speaks to the media during an interview.
Echoing his sentiments, Cartas Murere, one of 10 local community members trained in bridge maintenance, shared how the project empowered them not only with infrastructure but also with skills.
“We’ve learned how to tighten screws, maintain the steel cables, and more. This bridge came as a solution to our daily struggle, and now we know how to care for it.”
Speaking on behalf of SIDARA company an umbrella that embeds Dar, TYLin, and Introba team of Volunteers, Dan Fitzwilliam marked the completion of the bridge as a ‘big win, appreciating the Rwandan community and local leaders for the support and hospitality.
“I think I speak for the whole team when I say that what we gained from our experience here and what we gave to the community far exceed all the challenges of the Project. We are very grateful and humbled to have worked with everyone as one,” he added.
“We are grateful for our contribution in making sure that kids have a way to get to school. Hopefully, they’ll attend school and be the next great leaders for Africa.”
Dan Fitzwilliam described the completion of the bridge as a ‘big win’.
During the construction period, the SIDARA (Dar, TYLin, Introba) team visited Ecole Primaire Burasira to inspire kids to be future engineers and to aspire to dream big.
On the side of Dar Rwanda, Mr. Elie Kharrat, partner at DAR, expressed his gratitude to the government of Rwanda to have enabled the SIDARA group to give back to the rural communities.
“This bridge will link people to various services and will enable the residents to perform their usual business with no worries to cross the river whatsoever the time and season. There is not one day in Rwanda that passes without a lesson learned in courage, determination, humility and boldness,” he said.
Pheneas Simpunga, Executive Secretary of Kigarama Cell, delivers remarks during the unveiling of the newly constructed bridge.
Pheneas Simpunga, Kigarama Cell Executive Secretary, expressed his gratitude to SIDARA team and its partners for building the bridge, noting that it will ease inter-community trade and communication in the nearby communities.
“This is going to be helpful for people of different villages, but more especially for students of Ecole Primaire Burasira,” Simpunga said.
“We are thankful for the partnership of B2P and the district of Muhanga, who brought other partners in the construction of this bridge that will ease commercial activities.”
Moise Kwizera, a representative of B2P, speaks during the Official unveiling of the constructed bridge in Kigarama Cell on June 5.
Engineer Moise Kwizera, a representative of B2P, emphasised B2P’s goal to build bridges in rural areas across the globe, noting the Kajeje Trail Bridge as one of over 250 bridges constructed by B2P in Rwanda and part of more than 600 worldwide.
He commended the government for its continuous support, especially Muhanga District administration, where they have built more bridges than any other district in Rwanda.
Kwizera noted that their engineers worked with the community from the start to the end, emphasising the significant contribution of the Kajeje community in completing the construction of the bridge.
“It was the first time, for most of the team members to come to Africa, and they came to help build this bridge. They donated their money to help in building this bridge, and we thank them for their helping heart and great work,” Kwizera added.
The bridge features a concrete abutment on both sides. Kwizera underscored that the bridge is built in a way that guarantees that the structure could withstand wind loads and pedestrian traffic.
Kwizera also pointed out that the bridge construction activities were not just for the sake of allowing people to travel, but also helping them financially throughout the process and equipping them with skills that would help in ensuring the safety and maintenance of the bridge post completion.
To ensure that the community has full ownership of the structure and sustains the bridge, 10 community workers were selected and trained in technical bridge construction, inspection, and maintenance knowledge. They will be working with the local administration and B2P in case they need help in taking care of the bridge.
Aimable Musabwa, Executive Secretary for Cyeza Sector, commended B2P, DAR, TYLin, Introba, and partners for their continuous support in development activities.
“B2P and Partners worked closely with the district to build this mostly needed bridge, allowing our students to go to school safely. When the river overflowed, our children could not pass, and we are happy for the completion of this bridge,” he said.
“We promise that as the leadership of Cyeza sector in collaboration with our people, we will protect this bridge to have it serve its purpose as it was very much needed. What we have achieved, we won’t let anyone destroy it.”
The newly constructed bridge in Kigarama Cell allows children to attend school safely, helps farmers reach markets, and enables residents to travel between villages without risking dangerous river crossing.
The official unveiling ceremony drew hundreds of community members, students, and local officials on June 5. Photos by Craish Bahizi
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