Project: Building a Y Tam Rural Bridge in Phụng Hiệp, Hậu Giang

Hậu Giang, 6/11/2015

Trip notes…

From Saigon, the four of us from Y Tam rode two motorbikes for six straight hours to survey the site and visit the villagers in Phương Thạnh hamlet, Phương Phú commune, Phụng Hiệp district, Hậu Giang province.

Getting around in this area is still very difficult; at times we had to leave our motorbikes on the bank and travel by boat. Thanks to that, we got a close look at the old, rickety bridges perched precariously over the river, both wobbly and unsafe.

Our eyes suddenly stopped at the sight of a broken bridge, and we pulled our boat over to the bank to talk with the people living there.

As we learned more, we found out that the bridge had been broken for over a year and the villagers had not had the means to rebuild it. The bridge was meant to span the river and link up the roads so people could get around more easily. More than that, it was how the children got to school early every morning and home every afternoon. Now that it is broken, how are the villagers and the children supposed to cross the river???

They told us that crossing the river is a real struggle every time: either they go by boat or, if there is none, they swim across. Schoolchildren have to wait for the water to go down so their parents can carry them across on their backs. Some days, when their parents haven't come for them yet, the children, eager to get home, put their books on their heads and swim across by themselves; caught in strong currents, some children have lost their lives…

From what we saw with our own eyes and heard with our own ears, we understood that our first, most urgent task was to build a new bridge for the villagers and the children here.

I/ IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

1/ Site measurements:

Y Tam took the following measurements of the bridge site in person:

+ Distance from one riverbank to the other: 14m

+ Normal water depth: 2.5m

+ Planned total height from the riverbed to the top of the bridge: 5m

+ Planned deck width: 1.8m

+ Length from the river's edge up to the road: 2m on each side, 4m in total

2/ Drawing

Based on these measurements, Y Tam drew up a model of the bridge, shown in the image below with clear annotations.

Basic specifications:

• Estimated total bridge length: 20m
• Deck width: 2.2m
• Height from the top of the bridge down to the water surface: 2.5m

3/ Cost estimate

Y Tam has prepared a detailed cost estimate for building the bridge as follows:

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF THE BRIDGE: 121,275,000 VND

4/ Construction

On our recent survey trip, besides surveying the site, Y Tam also made the most of that short time to meet with the local authorities and residents. When they heard a bridge would be built, everyone was delighted and gave their full support.

Y Tam representatives meeting with local residents and authorities

Notably, this area does not have electricity yet, so construction will face quite a few difficulties. However, the local authorities and residents will do everything they can to support Y Tam and help us carry out this mission successfully.

That is why Y Tam is directly taking charge of building this bridge, with labor contributed by:

• Members and skilled volunteers with extensive experience in bridge construction, who will be directly responsible for supervising the work.
• Members and non-specialist volunteers, who will contribute their labor to help build the bridge
• 10 professional local builders, hired for the job
• Local residents and authorities, who will volunteer their labor to help build the bridge.

5/ Timeline

• Groundbreaking ceremony: the morning of Thursday, 17/12/2015
• Y Tam members will come down to help in person on 19 and 20/12/2015
• Expected completion: from 17/12/2015 to 24/1/2016

II/ VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP FOR THE BRIDGE BUILD

Y Tam really needs members and volunteers to sign up and contribute their time and effort so that together we can build this meaningful bridge.

• Number needed: 25 volunteers

1/ Planned schedule for the trip to Hậu Giang:

• Departure: 8 p.m., Friday, 18/12/2015
• 3 p.m., Sunday, 20/12/2015: board the bus back to Saigon.
• Transport: 25-seat coach
• Pick-up point: Y Tam House, No. X1, CMT8 Apartment Complex, Thép Mới Street (near the Hoàng Hoa Thám – Trường Chinh junction), Ward 12, Tân Bình District, Ho Chi Minh City.
• Cost: transport 180,000 VND per person; Y Tam will cover your meals for the 2 days.

2/ How to sign up:

- Register via this link: http://bit.ly/1R0hWXg

III/ SUPPORT THE BRIDGE FUND

Investing in community projects always brings sustainable, long-term value, helps a great many people and makes communities better. The sum of 121,275,000 VND is certainly not small, but if each of us shares a little, we will surely soon have enough to build the bridge for the people of Phụng Hiệp – Hậu Giang.

We always keep in mind that Y Tam itself must first be a solid bridge before it can connect the hearts and trust of all of you, our donors in Vietnam and abroad. Only then will the rural bridges that come out of it be truly meaningful and sturdy.

ALL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE BRIDGE PROJECT CAN BE SENT TO:

Y Tam Charity

Operating office address: No. X1, CMT8 Apartment Complex, Thép Mới Street (near the Hoàng Hoa Thám – Trường Chinh junction), Ward 12, Tân Bình District, Ho Chi Minh City.

Phone: 098 567 4772 – 0934 197 772

Bank accounts:

1/ DongA Bank: Account number: 0101607577 – Account name: Đào Thị Minh Lệ, Branch: 343 Lê Văn Sỹ – District 3 – Ho Chi Minh City

2/ Vietcombank: Account number: 044 1000 664 969 – Account name: Đào Thị Minh Lệ, Card issued at: 188B Lê Văn Sỹ, Ward 10, Phú Nhuận District, Ho Chi Minh City, Tân Bình District Branch.

3/ Vietinbank: Account number: 711AA7741285 – Account name: Đào Thị Minh Lệ, Issuing branch address: 207 Lê Văn Sỹ – District 3 – Ho Chi Minh City

4/ Agribank: Account number: 1606 205 971 141 – Account name: Đào Thị Minh Lệ, An Phú Branch

Note: When making a transfer, please state clearly: Donor's name + Support for the Hậu Giang bridge

Sincerely
Y Tam Charity