DESIGNED CONNECTIONS
- Design - Build - Connect -
Who We Are
Florida Atlantic University & Engineers in Action
Designed Connections at FAU
Student team
We are six highly motivated and talented future Civil Engineers that came together to form a the team tasked with the completion of the Lubanjiswano footbridge. This bridge will serve over 1,500 individuals in the Nhluweni and Mhlangeni communities have access to essential services all year-round.
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 32 universities across the globe have designed and built 77 footbridges alongside rural communities in 11 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
About the Lubanjiswano Footbridge
General Information
The goal of this project is to provide a safe and durable crossing for an underserved community in the country of Eswatini, Africa. The Lubanjiswano Bridge will benefit the Nhlulweni and Mhlangeni communities. These communities have a total population of 1,500 people.
The current crossing consists of rocks that have been placed as stepping-stones. The unsafe nature of this crossing has resulted in multiple injuries and deaths over the past ten years. This crossing can only be accessed during the dry season; in the rainy season, the river can flood up to 10 days at a time, making the crossing unpassable for pedestrian safe transport.
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. Moreover, the final design accommodates the Bridge, thus preventing any damage to occur from the river flooding during severe weather conditions.
Impact
The Lubanjiswano Bridge will allow students, working individuals, farmers, and medical staff to cross the Bridge without the fear of injury or death. This may lead to an increase in the quantity of children who enroll in schools, as well as provide the opportunity to create growth in the labor market, increased farm profits, and medical services. Resultantly, the economy in the Nhlulweni and Mhlangeni communities will hopefully improve due to the new opportunities in education and labor that are presented by the completion of the Lubanjiswano Bridge.
Monetary Requirements
Designed Connections at FAU has assumed the responsibility of funding the construction of the Lubanjiswano footbridge. The total cost of the prject is $30,000 USD. This amount will cover the construction materials and labors, ans the traveling expenses of the Designed Connections team.
Due to FAU's travel restrictions the team was unable to travel for the construction of the Lubanjiswano footbridge, but we plan to give our support to any future FAU bridges.
We are committed to keep this tradition alive and to create a legacy of FAU bridge builders!
2021 Sponsorship Levels
Project Goal: $30,000 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 two students to Eswatini, Africa where they will oversee and work firsthand.
Local Mason
$1,000
With $1,000 you will be providing the salary for a local mason 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.
Designed Connections Team
Click on the picture for our LinkedIn profile and connect with us
Project Manager
Carolina Velez
Design Manager
Juan Zertuche
Safety Manager
Jholyn Gutierrez
Quality Control Manager
Samer Abed
Cultural Relations Manager
Shailah Steck
Construction Manager
Josue David
Mentor
Alexander Hintze
Mentor
Maximo Bravo
Mentor
Samantha Robinson
Mentor
Esther Mitchell
Faculty
Dr. Fred Bloetscher
Faculty
Dr. Daniel Meeroff
Engineer In Charge
Daryn Hobbs
Bridge Corps
Steve Richards
Follow Our Progress
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Connect With Us
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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/
