Bronze Project 2018 : Chavarrias, Bolivia

Our first bridge project as a stand-alone team was in the Southeast region of Bolivia, in a small town called Chavarrias. We were first awarded the project in Tholamarca and did the preparations for that site, which involved:

• evaluating the geographical and technical information provided by Bridges to Prosperity

• creating a concept design from the site evaluation

• analyzing the concept design and making any necessary changes as per the Bridges to Prosperity Bridge Builder's Manual (5th edition)

• compiling a construction drawing set, approved by Alan Kreisa, the B2P Director of Engineering

• facilitating design and construction workshops for the travel team and general members to learn more about the components of the bridge

• fundraising the materials of the bridge via campus events, crowdfunding, corporate sponsorships--totaling about $20 000+ CAD

• organized a construction schedule for the field, outlining each phase of construction and corresponding time estimation 

• formulated a quality control checklist based on the University Binder Field Guide (2nd Edition)

• outlined cross-cultural relations plan and safety protocols including hazard mitigation, risk management, emergency contingency, delegation of safety responsibilities, etc.

• completed Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) training, as well as UAlberta's Pre-Departure Course, B2P Safety Quiz, Wilderness First Aid, and Fall Protection 

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In mid-April, due to some logistical problems, we had been assigned the project in Chavarrias. Chavarrias had an elevation of about 2500 m with a community of 450 members, 30 of them students. From the last three years, four injuries and two deaths were reported from crossing Rio San Luis. This river is impassable during the months of November to April, where the rainy season causes it to flood to dangerous levels.

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