ROTARY FOUNDATION GLOBAL GRANT PROPOSAL ENGLISH(EN) Proposal - Project Title : Guatemala Footbridge Section A Host and International Sponsor Information Host Sponsor : Guatemala Vista Hermosa International Sponsor : Daytona Beach West Primary Contact : Rosales, Carlos Rafael [6453905] District : 4250 Club : Guatemala Vista Hermosa Primary Contact : MacQueen, Arthur [5616312] District : 6970 Club : Daytona Beach West Section B - Community Needs (1) Describe the benefiting community including its location using any relevant geographic and demographic information.if the activity is a scholarship, enter "N/A" Although there is an extreme need for access throughout the country of Guatemala, three specific communities have been identified for footbridges. Each of the selected projects are located in the central and slightly western regions of the country: Name: Santa Lena Pedestrian Footbridge Location: Santa Lena, Guatemala on the Rio Motoagua GPS Coordinates: N14 54.5 W90 42.3 Name: Los Senquentes Pedestrian Footbridge Location: Los Senquentes, Guatemala on the Rio Motoagua Tributary GPS Coordinates: N14 55.5 W90 42 Name: Xechpup Suspended Pedestrian Footbridge Location: Joyabaj, Quiche, Guatemala GPS Coordinates: 14 56'25.22"N, 90 42'55.44"W 1
(2) What community needs have been identified? If the activity is a scholarship, enter "N/A" This identification has been done in conjunction with the partner organization Bridges to Prosperity. The beneficiaries of each of the communities will be provided safe year round access to education, health facilities and market opportunities, and in the long-term, these projects will act as a catalyst for improved livelihoods of the rural villagers, currently reduced to isolation during the rainy season. The communities need access to improve their livelihood. The extensive rains in Guatemala cause rivers to swell, and leave them impassible. Schools, clinics, markets are inaccessible. The construction of Santa Lena, Los Senquentes and Xechpup and San Rafael Chichop, pedestrian footbridges would provide safe crossing during the high water level period, which occurs several times a year. In the community of Santa Lena, a pedestrian bridge was in place until Hurricane Agatha in June 2010 when it was destroyed. The original design was deficient and unable to withstand the high flow event. Since Agatha, the community has been using a temporary bridge made out of planks that washes out each time it rains. During the rainy season, the community is cut off from access for weeks at a time. The community of Los Senquentes has a very similar situation, caused by the same Agatha event. The community is also cut off for weeks at a time during the rainy season. In the communities of Xechpup and San Rafael Chichop, the communtities currently have to walk 5 km to an upstream bridge to gain access to schools, clinics and the markets of Joyabaj during the six month rainy season. Currently, the communities use a temporary log crossing during the rainy seaon that is frequently washed away. (3) How are these needs currently being addressed with local resources and/or government agencies, NGOs, etc? Summarize the proposed activity(ies).if the activity is a scholarship, enter "N/A" They are not currently being addressed. Access becomes a challenge during the six month rainy season. Section C - Activity Description (1) Summarize the proposed activity(ies) This grant will support the bridge training program, including the construction of three pedestrian footbridges. Through a collaborating partnership with Bridges to Prosperity, bridge engineers will assist the Rotarian teams in the survey, design, training and construction of the cable suspended footbridges. The bridges will provide safe access to basic needs year round. The rainy season will not disrupt services and access to these communities. 2
(2) List any Cooperating Organization(s) or University(ies) involved in the proposed activity(ies). Engineers Without Boarders and Wisconsin Professional Partners will also collaborate on the project. (3) Describe how the benefiting community(ies) will be involved in the activity(ies).if the activity is a scholarship, enter "N/A" A way in which to ensure this is to establish a Bridge/Project Committee for each project. This committee will be set up to guarantee local buy-in into the project, and to ensure basic maintenance procedures are understood and the responsibility is taken seriously. It is a requirement that there is at least one woman representing the community on this Bridge/Project Committee. Members of the community invest their time and their labor to construct these projects. Without the full community support and effort, they would not be built. (4) Has the benefiting community(ies) confirmed that they would like this activity(ies) to take place? Yes (5) Proposed Start Date : 01 Oct 2012 (6) Proposed Completion Date : 01 Oct 2014 Section D Area of Focus (1) With which area(s) of focus is the proposed activity aligned? Peace and Conflict prevention/resolution - No Disease Prevention and Treatment - No Water and Sanitation - No Maternal and child health - Yes Basic education and literacy - No Economic and community development - Yes (2) Describe how the activity(ies) will address the goal(s) of the Area of Focus In each of these communities, the bridge projects will act as a catalyst for improved livelihoods. The health, economic and educational improvements as the result of the bridge projects are likely to be considerable. Previous pedestrian bridge projects have seen an average increase in visits to health care facilities by 15%, school attendance increases averaging 20% and overall financial benefits to an the average villager of up to 25%. Section E Project Outcomes 3
(1) What are the immediate and long term outcomes of the activity? The outcomes described in the previous section are copied here and would be immediate upon bridge completion. In each of these communities, the bridge projects will act as a catalyst for improved livelihoods. The health, economic and educational improvements as the result of the bridge projects are likely to be considerable. Previous pedestrian bridge projects have seen an average increase in visits to health care facilities by 15%, school attendance increases averaging 20% and overall financial benefits to an the average villager of up to 25%. (2) Explain how all involved parties will act to ensure the sustainability of the activities and/or outcomes. The sustainability of each of these projects is driven by the fact that there is an extreme need and the community has a great desire for a bridge or the project in their community. They see the value in these projects and the economic growth it can allow for their people. Members of the community invest their time and their labor to construct these projects. Without the full community support and effort, they would not be built. Among many responsibilities, the Bridge/Project Committee will be responsible for minimal repairs (such as broken deck boards), although the structures are designed to require minimal attention. The in depth training of the local community prior to construction and throughout construction, will provide them with the necessary tools and information to maintain the structure of the bridge. In order to aid the educational process, the technical manual and technical videos have been translated into Spanish, therefore the local community and laborers can fully understand and execute the project. Through this extensive training of key individuals and with these supportive materials, the community will have local resources in which to ask questions and seek assistance if the bridge needs any future maintenance. The bridges that will be built have been designed to be basically maintenance free for a life span of 15-20 years. After 15-20 years, the bridge may need to be completely replaced. However, with the anticipated growth of the local economy by providing access to schools, markets, healthcare and potential employment, the local community will be able to source an expanded version of the bridge capable of handling tractors and carts, and then potentially 15 years after that a bridge capable of handling trucks. Empowering the local Bridge/Project Committee and using each project as a training ground ensure the overall sustainability of the technology in the country. Section F Budget (1) Currency / Exchange Rate Name of Local Currency : USD Current Exchange Rate : 1.0000 Date Exchange Rate Entered : 29 Jun 2012 4
(2) Budget Details Budget Item Supplier/Vendor Amount in Local Currency Bridge design, engineering, on site supervision Steel cable, hardware, clamps, concrete, $25,000 Section G Financing (1) DDF Amount in USD : 23490.0000 Amount in USD Bridges to Prosperity 25100.0000 25100.0000 Bridges to Prosperity 25000.0000 25000.0000 Budgeted Total in Local Currency : 50100.0000 Budgeted Total in USD : 50100.0000 (2) Rotarian Cash Amount in USD : 2080.0000 (3) Additional outside funding in USD : Maximum Rotary Foundation : 24530.0000 (4) Requested Rotary Foundation (TRF) Match in USD : 24530.0000 Computed Total Financing in USD (Cash+DDF+Match) : 50100.0000 5