### **“Embrace the opportunity to engineer hope, for in connecting communities, we discover not only the strength within ourselves but the boundless power of unity and compassion”**

**Our mission is simple, yet monumental in its impact. The Engineers in Action: University of Alberta Chapter builds footbridges in Bolivia to uplift lives, create opportunities, and remove dangerous barriers that hinder the daily lives of those in rural communities. Our efforts don't just span rivers; they bridge the gap between struggle and hope. Our club designs, fundraises for, and constructs footbridges for rural underserved communities to provide year-round access to life’s necessities.**

**Our mission transcends the physical act of bridge-building; it encompasses the removal of barriers that have long hindered the progress of these communities in Bolivia. We are tackling the very barriers that have stifled progress for generations. These bridges are not merely structures; they symbolize a connection to better opportunities, safer lives, and promising futures.**

**Imagine children no longer risking their lives to cross dangerous waters to reach school. Envision families having year-round access to healthcare, markets, and education, all made possible by the bridges we build. Consider the profound impact your donation could have – lives saved, dreams realized, and a community empowered to thrive.**
![EIA24](https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.alumniq.com/ualberta/prod/crowdfunding/2024/1731436758566.jpg)

### **Why Bridges?**

**Footbridges result in...**

* **12% increase in children enrolled in school**
* **18% increase in healthcare treatment**
* **45% increase in fertilizer investment**
* **56% increase in crop yield**
* **75% increase in farm profits**
* **30% increase in labor market income**
* **59% increase of women in the labor market**
* **20% economic return on investment (compared to 4-8% standard market rate)**

**This level of impact is unparalleled in the realm of community-level development projects!**
![EIA Team](https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.alumniq.com/ualberta/prod/crowdfunding/2024/1731436874773.jpg)

### **Why We Need Your Help!**

**As university students, we are passionate about our mission to build bridges that connect underserved communities in Bolivia. However, the reality is that the cost of constructing these vital structures can be quite substantial. Tens of thousands of dollars is typically required to build a footbridge, not to mention the amount of hours invested by students, mentors, and local volunteers into training and construction. As students, this much money is very difficult to obtain; that's a lot of cookies in a bake sale! That is why we are reaching out to people like you to lend a hand and help us create a difference.**

**Our University Chapter is committed to funding approximately 50% of the direct costs associated with our bridge projects. For the upcoming 2025 build, the estimated total project cost stands at $26,000. This includes direct bridge expenses, including critical elements like:**

* **Obtaining and transporting bridge material**
* **Local masonry labor**
* **Training resource development**
* **Medical supplies**

![EIA24](https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.alumniq.com/ualberta/prod/crowdfunding/2024/1731436973214.jpg)

**It's not just the bridges we build; it's the lives we change of those living in the present community as well as the generations that will follow. It's the smiles on the faces of children as they cross the bridge to school, knowing that their dreams are now within reach. It's the relief in the eyes of their parents who know their child is no longer risking their life for an education. It’s the alleviation of worry for people knowing they now have access to medical care for their families. It's the newfound hope that ripples through communities, and all of this is made possible, because of people like you.**

![EIA24](https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.alumniq.com/ualberta/prod/crowdfunding/2024/1731437005741.jpg)

Building Footbridges to Engineer a Brighter Future

THIS PROJECT IS OVER