Naminga Bridge construction

About this Project

The Justine  Water Users Association will construct a bridge at Naminga river to provide all year round access for  students learners who learn at Naminga School, Mlomba community Day secondary school, the community and women who use Mllomba  Health Center to access health services and local farmers around the area who cultivate rice at Zumulu Rice Scheme also faces challenges when transporting their produce to their respective homes.  All these groups face challenges during rainy season  as they cannot access the much needed services

Barely two (2) months after receiving a $9,593.83 grant from World Connect, Justine Water Users Association in collaboration with community members of Mpelula village, T/A Mlomba in Machinga district can now afford to smile as the construction of Naminga bridge is coming towards completion. So far,  they have  fixed the head wall (pillars), wing walls, steel, and shutter. The structure has also been covered with a strong concrete deck slab to make it durable. The bridge is expected to be fully functional in four (4) weeks when the concrete deck slab has dried out fully. Over 600 students from Naminga and Mlomba Schools, 200 farmers who cultivate rice at Zumulu rice scheme, women who access Health care at Mlomba Health Center and community members of surrounding villages are expected to benefit  by using this bridge

With a total funding of $9,593.83, the Namizinga community, led by EFP Coaster Kamzungu, has successfully completed the construction of the Namizing Bridge, benefiting approximately 761 individuals. The bridge is now fully operational, featuring a finished concrete deck and a 30-meter approach. After several months of use, the project has proven transformative, connecting five villages and granting access to Mlomba CDSS and Naminga Primary School, benefiting 400 students who previously faced challenges crossing the Namizinga River. Consequently, classroom attendance at both schools has notably increased. Additionally, the bridge facilitates access to the health center, especially aiding pregnant mothers in accessing safe delivery services. Moreover, the bridge has fostered cross trading, with over 185 household farmers easily transporting their agricultural products to distant markets. The project is sustainable with vetiver grass planted along the bridge to prevent erosion and runoff damage. The community has also been sensitized against cultivating along river banks to mitigate siltation. These actions collectively aim to enhance the bridge's longevity.