Back in Yabus

Well, we are back in Yabus, Sudan. Here is a picture crossing the river in our "boat" with our supplies. Crossing this way, especially with our 8 week old child, gave me renewed energy to see this bridge project finished by next rainy season. This is an open invitation to masons, carpenters, and general construction workers. We could use your help. Now. Just leave a comment with some contact info and I'll get in touch with you.

So What Is Going On Now?

For those interested in the progress of the bridge, I thought it wise to give a small update. In June, my very pregnant wife and our family flew out of Yabus to Nairobi for the delivery of our third child. Joshua Daniel was born healthy and strong on July 10 and now we are simply waiting for his passport and the immunizations that must wait until six weeks. During the time in Nairobi, I will be able to order the cables for the bridge and other supplies that are unavailable in Sudan. We have a flight scheduled for September 8th to return to Sudan and to work on this bridge. Thank you for your continued interest.

Eli Fader

Filling the Northside with Stones and Sand

Here are series of photos showing the progress of the northside tier. We capped it with a thin layer of cement.

Northside Foundation Progress

Here are a few photos of our northside foundation tier. Here we are building the wall that will hold the stones and sand. This tier is 140 cm tall.

Tower Foundation Construction

How we build the foundation tier:

Here I am standing in the foundation walls of one of the towers. I had 10 men helping me and it was their first time to mix cement, use a plumb bob, and build a block wall. They learned incredibly quickly and I hope the skills they are learning will be used to help build their own lives and their country.

Pouring Rock and Sand:

After building our foundation wall up 135 cm, we filled it with a combination of rock and sand. We throw about 15 cm of rock in and then cover it with sand and small stones, beating it with large hammers to fill in the cracks. We repeat this process of stones and sand over and over until the foundation is filled. I then poured a thin layer of cement over the top to keep the goats and pigs from digging through it.

Digging foundations

We have started to dig the foundations, a hole that is 3.6 meters long and 3.6 meters wide. It will be one meter deep and should be finished by April 18th. On the far side of the river we are encountering many rocks so the far hole is going a little bit slower. Construction using our concrete blocks, collected rock, and sand will begin soon after.

Tower Progress

A lot has happened since the last posting. The community and government officials gathered to discuss the possibility of endorsing this bridge project, and all were overwhelmingly enthusiastic about it! Permit papers were signed and construction has begun! The field team has been collecting rocks for the infill of the bridge approaches and making concrete bricks for the tower assembly. Excavation of the tower foundations has begun as well, and the team hopes to have the towers built before the rainy season hits.

Unfortunately, we still have quite a ways to go with fund-raising. Before the cables, steel parts, and lumber for the deck can be purchased, we need the cash in our project account. Would you consider contributing to this effort? Or would you consider forwarding this blog on to your friends or others who may be interested in sponsoring this project?