Qonapati Challviri, Bolivia

In the summer of 2025, the Engineers In Action bridge program collaborated with students from the University of Illinois, Virginia Tech, and Villanova University to carry out the footbridge project at Qonapati Challviri, Bolivia

Qonapati and Challviri are two agricultural communities in the Andes mountain range. They are divided by Rio Challviri, which rises 5 meters high every rainy season, cutting off the transportation between the two communities for 150 days every year. The economy of these two communities depends heavily on farming and grazing, which requires frequent river crossings. As a result, for roughly half the year, residents were unable to carry out essential economic activities, limiting their income and access to resources.

After half a year of designing, fundraising, and planning, EIA chapters from the University of Illinois, Virginia Tech, and Villanova University sent 10 travelers to Bolivia in May 2025. Over the course of a month and a half, travelers worked from 9am to 5pm under the guidance of skilled masons and professional Bridge Corps. Specifically, the travel team’s responsibility ranged from concrete mixing and base filling to cable hoisting and decking, contributing directly to every stage of the bridge’s completion. Together, they brought months of preparation into an impactful, lasting structure.

This footbridge is now helping around 165 residents, along with 180 potential users from Qonapati and Challviri, to cross the river. With the bridge, residents don't have to risk their lives to reach the hospital, school, and road on the left bank of the river. Furthermore, the bridge enables year-round farming as farmers can reach their farmlands during the rainy seasons, providing a sustainable economic source for Qonapati and Challviri.

Throughout the project, travelers experienced significant personal growth in problem-solving, teamworking, and leadership skills as they overcame multiple challenges. Moreover, living in rural Bolivia required travelers to show resilience, openness, and flexibility, qualities that will continue to serve them well in the future. The bridge not only serves as the connection between Qonapati and Challviri communities but also as the symbol of collaboration, perseverance, and the power of students to make a global impact.