FLORIDA ATLANTIC - ENGINERS IN ACTION
- Design - Build - Connect -
Who We Are
Florida Atlantic University & Engineers in Action
FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
Student team
Since 2020 the FAU - College of Engineering and Computer Science has selected a group of highly motivated and talented future Civil Engineers that are tasked with the completion of a cable-suspended footbridge that will serve a community in Eswatini, Africa (formerly known as Swaziland). These bridges will serve individuals, in an underserved community, have access to essential services all year-round. Allowing students, working individuals, farmers, and medical staff to cross rivers without the fear of injury or death.
Our Mission is
“To create a positive change in the world by providing connections to different communities with sustainable infrastructure design.”
Engineers in Action
Nonprofit Organization
Since 2006 in our Bridge Program, hundreds of students from 40+ universities across the globe have designed and built 110+ footbridges alongside rural communities in 12 countries, effectively connecting nearly 150,000 previously isolated people to essential resources.
Engineers in Action's (EIA) mission is to support development of sustainable systems and infrastructure with underserved communities, local expertise, and global partners.EIA's Bridge Program empowers today's students to become tomorrow's global leaders by building bridges with underserved communities
Our Projects
See the location of our past bridges here
2023 - Emlaleni Mabovini Footbridge
Mkhulamini , Eswatini
The Emlaleni Mabovini bridge is currently under construction. The student team consists of Emmanuel Francois, Samuel Apaez, Ricardo Barker, Amy Navarro, and Kaytlynn Mancinelli. The team had the privilege of working and traveling with two of the past project managers, Alex Hintze and Carolina Velez.
The proposed footbridge will provide safe and reliable access for the Mkhulamini community to the rest of the Manzini region. The population directly served by the bridge consists of 3750 individuals, a third of whom are children. The existing facilities of the surrounding area feature schools, churches, grocery stores and healthcare clinics. In addition, much of the surrounding land is used for farmland or residential homesteads. Per the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)’s report on Eswatini, over 70% of the country’s rural population is dependent upon subsistence agriculture. The access provided by this bridge will propel the economy forward for the Mkhulamini people, who are mainly farmers, giving them the opportunity to sell or trade items like maize, spinach, goats, cattle, and chicken. These people will gain consistent access to education, health care, and local markets through the construction of the proposed bridge.
2021 - Lubanjiswano Footbridge
Manzini, Eswatini
The Lubanjiswano Bridge, completed in June 2021, was the first bridge completed after the pandemic halted all construction in Eswatini.
The student team consisted of Juan Zertuche, Carolina Velez, Samer Abed, Jholyn Gutierrez, Josue Navarro, and Shailah Steck.
The bridge is currently serving the Nhlulweni and Mhlangeni communities. These communities have a total population of 1,500 people. The Lubanjiswano Bridge design was completed keeping extreme consideration of the community in mind. The Bridge was customized from the standard design, which reduced the cost of materials, as well as the construction hours that were required from the volunteers.
This project won the 2022 NCEES Engineering Education Award. This award will be used in the construction of future bridges by FAU & EIA.
2020 - Maphikelela Footbridge
Maphalaleni, Eswatini
The Maphikelela Bridge was completed in July 2020. The student team consisted of Alexander Hintze, Maximo Bravo, Samantha Robinson, and Esther Mitchell. The FAU team travel to the site to assist in the construction of the bridge. Unfortunately, their trip was cut short when due travel restrictions.
The bridge is currently serving 1,200 people of Malangenini, Busheletini and Bulimeni communities in the Maphalaleni inkhundla. The project beneficiaries include the 500 school-
going children currently crossing the Mkhomati River. The primary economic activities of these communities are subsistence crop farming and cattle rearing.2023 Sponsorship Levels
Project Goal: $40,000 USD
Bridge Builder
$5,000
With $5,000 you will cover the bulk of building materials and equipment required for construction and will ensure success of the project.
Traveler
$2,500
With $2,500 you will cover travel accommodations for students to traverse to Eswatini Africa where they will oversee construction.
Local Mason
$1,500
With $1,500 you will be providing the salary for local masons to assist in building the foundation for the towers and lunch for all laborers.
Caretaker
$500
With $500 you will be providing the team required Personal Protection Equipment such as boots & essential safety supplies, i.e Malaria medication.
Support Team
Up to $499
$10 helps the team buy disposable masks, $50 provides the team protein powder, $100 will buy filters and chlorine tabs for safe water.
Photos
Emalaleni Mabovini Bridge Site Photos
2023 Team
Click on the picture for our LinkedIn profile and connect with us
Project Manager
Emmanuel Francois
Construction Manager
Ricardo Baker
Design Manager
Samuel Apaez
Safety Manager
Amy Navarro
Cultural Relations Manager
Kaytlynn Mancinelli
Ambassador
Alexander Hintze
Ambassador
Carolina Velez
Ambassador
Samantha Robinson
Faculty
Dr. Fred Bloetscher
Faculty
Dr. Daniel Meeroff
Engineer In Charge
Matthew Bye
Bridge Corps
Steve Richards
Follow Our Progress
Enjoy the photos from our site
Connect With Us
For marketing material click here
Our Sponsors
Thank you to all our donors!
Public Utilities Management & Planning Services, LLC
http://www.h2o-pe.com/home.html
Hazen and Sawyer
https://www.hazenandsawyer.com/
Jupiter Island Pools
https://www.jupiterislandpools.com/
Touch Stone Crystal
https://www.instagram.com/teresacorrao25/
JFO Group, Inc.
http://www.jfogroupinc.com/contact/
Creative Database Reporting, LLC
https://creativedatabasereporting.com/
Structures International, Inc.
https://www.siiengineers.com/
