EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) – Helping children safely get to school and improving access to daily needs – that’s what a group of engineering students accomplished in South Africa.
The group spent eight weeks in Eswatini to build the largest pedestrian footbridge in South Africa.
USI partnered with a nonprofit called Engineers in Action for the project.
The mission is to connect isolated communities with critical needs such as schools, shops and clinics.
Assistant Professor in engineering, Susan Ely, says the project is not just about building a bridge.
“We shared meals with them. We talked with them everyday. We talked about their kids. So they’re making an impact in the world just by coming alongside and showing that even though we come from different places, we’re still able to connect in really meaningful ways,” said Ely.
USI senior and engineering student Miguel Pinto says this was his third year participating in the program.
“The happiness that we feel at the end when we see the kids crossing the bridge to go to school, that’s something that fulfills me, and that’s something that brings me back every year,” said Pinto.
Students tell us the bridge is expected to hold up for 75 years.
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Publish date : 2024-10-02 21:38:00
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