Patzula, Guatemala

Our first bridge project was a Tag-along project with the University of Toronto team. We traveled in the summer of 2016 to help build a 34-meter cable suspended footbridge in Patzula, Joyabaj Municipality, Guatemala. The bridge supports 800 daily traffic, including 45 students, to safely cross the river. 

Here we are, back from Patzula, the lovely little town located in the mountains under the municipality of Joyabaj in Guatemala. Below are some wonderful flashback moments that we would like to share with you. The primary source, of course, is my daily journal!

During the summer of 2017, University of Colorado had managed to survey the land, build up both towers, start on excavation, and more. What they were able to accomplish in such little time was incredible, but the job was still yet to be finished. As soon as we arrived in 2018, we began working on the excavation of the abutments, creating the space for anchor cages to be placed. Many hours were spent shoveling, picking, and wheelbarrowing away dirt, all the while enjoying the company of each other and the community members. Friendships between all were quickly formed.

Though many problems were encountered throughout the course of the trip, whether it be a lack of materials, community disagreements, or ill health, our team was able to stay positive and problem solve such that we kept moving forward. Our project manager Christina Sawaya fought for us everyday. We would not have been able to finish the construction of the bridge if it weren’t for the problem solving skills she had as well as our whole team’s ability to brainstorm and strategize.

Soon it came time to pull the cables across the bridge, harness them with the anchor cage, and lay decking. Before we knew it, the seven weeks came to an abrupt end. Before us stood a magnificent bridge, one that connected the community’s two sides, allowing community members to access their crops during the rainy season, allowing them to prosper economically.  The bridge also built a connection between every person there. The relationships formed on that trip are ones that will last forever. The bond built between the travel members, and the bond that we had with the community was truly heartfelt. The community members bid us a very emotional goodbye after throwing us an incredible goodbye feast. And with that, we went our separate ways, taking with us an experience unlike any other.