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CAP-HAITIEN — A construction group is asking for donations of materials to rebuild a small bridge in Madeline, a neighborhood on the outskirts of downtown Cap-Haitien, the capital city of the Northern Department. The Little River Bridge, completely torn down in May, left only three pieces of iron for residents to cross water.
Crossing on these remains has become dangerous, with about five people falling into the water daily, including motorcyclists. With school beginning soon, students will face these risks daily. Jackie Bien-Aime, president of Teamwork to Rebuild Little River Bridge (KOREPOR, its Creole acronym), emphasized the situation’s urgency and the need to accelerate the rebuilding efforts.
“Please, help us because this battle is not easy,” said civil engineer Bien-Aime. “A lot of people laughed at me [when I started this project], they underestimated me but today the entire country has their eyes fixed on Little River Bridge. If I didn’t start this, there wouldn’t have been hope at all.”
Claude Louis, another engineer, said that to complete the work, KOREPOR needs 1,000 sacks of cement, 1,500 cubic meters of sand, 3,000 cubic meters of gravel, 30 tons of iron bars, a concrete mixer, transportation equipment and more. So far, non-profit P4H Global has donated 500 sacks of cement, five tons of iron, four truckloads of rocks, and 15,000 gourdes, or $113, to pay workers.
“We want to work for the country,” Louis said. “Our only interest is the nation; we’re not seeking personal benefits.”
Louis served as the head engineer for the irrigation canal construction in Ouanaminthe, near Haiti’s border with the Dominican Republic. Although Louis is not a member of KOREPOR, Bien-Aime noted that the canal project inspired the initiative. KOREPOR’s slogan, Pon Pap Kanpe (PPK), translates to “The Bridge Won’t Stop” and mirrors the canal’s slogan, Kanal la Pap Kanpe (KPK), meaning “The Canal Won’t Stop.”
The bridge, originally built over 100 years ago in a colonial style, started to deteriorate two years ago, with holes causing accidents, including one involving a pregnant woman. KOREPOR plans to replace it with a concrete structure 8.5 meters wide and nine meters long.
Businesses in the area have suffered significantly due to the bridge’s collapse.
“I can’t sell enough to take care of my kids,” said Silvera Joachin, a vendor and seamstress. “No one comes for clothes, and I don’t know how I’ll send my children to school.”
Here are images showing residents crossing the remains of the bridge, engineers preparing for construction, and more.
Donations to support KOREPOR’s initiative can be made via WhatsApp at +509 31 82 36 36 or +509 41 17 84 85.
The post Collapsed bridge in northern Haiti disrupts school, commerce; community rallies for rebuild and donations | PHOTOS appeared first on The Haitian Times.
