News>144 hours in Ethiopia: The Negele Borena Bridge
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Residents of Negele Borena, Ethiopia, line up to cross the recently dedicated town bridge Dec. 6, 2011. The bridge was built as a means for pedestrians and livestock to cross a dangerous river. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jarad Denton)
Residents of Negele Borena, Ethiopia, cross the Negele Borena Bridge for the first time since its official dedication Dec. 6, 2011. The 50-meter, steel-truss bridge was built to provide safe passage for pedestrians and livestock crossing the dangerous river below. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jarad Denton)
A young girl pauses and smiles as she walks toward the original river crossing in Negele Borena, Ethiopia, Dec. 5, 2011. U.S. Navy sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5 recently completed a bridge for pedestrians and livestock, which will prevent people from fording through the river to cross it. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jarad Denton)
With the crisp cut of scissors, Tasfaayee Iyyaddanee Warree, the mayor of Negele Borena, Ethiopia, and the Honorable Donald Booth, the U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia, officially dedicate the Negele Borena Bridge on Dec. 6, 2011. The bridge, which was constructed in five months, is designed to provide safe passage for pedestrians and livestock. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jarad Denton)
by Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
1/11/2012 - NEGELE BORENA, Ethiopia (AFNS) -- (Editor's Note: This story is part of "Through Airmen's Eyes." These stories and commentaries focus on a single Airman, highlighting their Air Force story.
During a recent trip to Ethiopia, Senior Airman Jarad A. Denton experienced rural areas outside the country's capital as he travelled to Negele Borena by car. Negele Borena is the site of a bridge in Ethiopia, built by Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.
The long car ride to Negele Borena afforded Denton the opportunity to see a people very different from the stereotypical images most Americans have of Ethiopians. He described the journey through the country as a discovery of the soul of its people. This is the third part of a five-part series: 144 hours in Ethiopia.)
Every year, an average of three people in Negele Borena, Ethiopia, are killed when they attempt to cross the river, which runs through the town, during its flood stage.
The town was founded in the early 20th century, which makes it roughly a hundred years old. This now-quiet stream has taken about 300 people away from their families and friends over the years when it turns into a raging river during the rainy season.
From my balcony the morning of Dec. 6, I could see the people of Negele Borena walking along the main road. I saw a little girl carrying a paperback school book, running to catch up to her friends as they walked to school. I looked away when I realized how easily her tiny body would be swept away by the strong current of the river.
I saw an older man, who I recognized as Mr. Solomon, a local businessman. During his 20 years living in the town, I wondered how many friends he had lost to the river.
Today, that all changed.
The Negele Borena Bridge was officially dedicated and turned over to the local population today after nearly five months of construction and more than two years of planning.
"There are a lot of limitations in this area," said Tasfaayee Iyyaddanee Warree, Negele Borena's mayor. "It has taken us two years to achieve this. We thank you very much for making this happen."
The ceremony dedicating the bridge was more of a celebration of life and culture. A local band played popular Ethiopian music as dancers moved to the rhythm; a freshly baked loaf of bread was presented and cut by distinguished guests as a symbol of unity; and children presented locally grown flowers in thanks to the people who made the bridge a reality.
U.S. Navy sailors from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, along with U.S Army Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery, and U.S. Army Civil Affairs teams assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, worked with volunteers from the local community to create the 50-meter, steel-truss bridge, which allows for pedestrians and livestock to cross the river without fear of being swept away by the strong currents.
"We have taken the first step toward a future where parents don't have to worry about their children walking to school," said Donald Booth, the U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia. "The construction of this bridge started with a conversation between the United States and (Negele Borena) local leaders."
In 2009, a civil affairs team met with Negele Borena leaders to discuss the solution to crossing the river. During its flood stage, the river posed a danger to the 17,000 citizens, who needed to cross it to receive health care and attend school. Additionally, the livestock were also at risk of being swept away when crossing the river.
Once approval for the project was granted, NMCB 5 went to work. The intention was to relinquish control and maintenance to the people of Negele Borena after the dedication ceremony, and as a ribbon was swiftly snipped, ownership of the bridge was transferred.
"This bridge belongs to you and your town," said U.S Army Brig. Gen. William Glasgow, the CJTF-HOA deputy commander, as he addressed the population of Negele Borena during the dedication ceremony. "I trust it will become a symbol of pride for you. We look forward to a continued partnership with the people of Negele Borena."
The local population eagerly accepted the responsibility of raising the funds necessary to maintain and clear debris from the bridge, Warree said. The bridge has not only created a link between two parts of land, but, "it has also created a link with the Americans," he said.
