Sharon and Margaux Brown Memorial Bridge
Photo by D.Robbins
On Thursday, February 2, 2012, the Sharon and Margaux Brown Memorial Bridge in the Wei Wei Valley, Central Pokot, Kenya was officially opened. This latest project, that was completed in collaboration with the “Friends of Marich” service club of students from the International School of Kenya (ISK) and the NGO “Bridging the Gap” whose founder Harmon Parker was nominated as a top ten 2010 CNN Hero, was cause for major celebration. The event was attended by hundreds of local community members of the Pokot tribe, Kenya Government Officials, ISK students and teachers, Bridging the Gap, and Jeff Brown, husband of Sharon Brown and father of Margaux Brown. A special thank you to all memorial fund donors who supported the completion of this latest project. Your support not only ensures that Sharon and Margaux Brown are not forgotten, but that community members will be able to reach schools, medical clinics, and markets more easily during the wet season in this “walking world”. Many lives will also be saved from drowning, and from hippo and crocodile attacks with this memorial bridge. Click on the links below for more information about the incredible work that Bridging the Gap performs in Kenya.
http://www.bridgingthegapafrica.org/
http://www.bridgingthegapafrica.org/2011/06/18/harmon-parker-at-tedx-conference/
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- Opening Speeches by Harmon Parker and Jeff Brown
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- ISK Teachers and Harmon Parker
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- First Crossings
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- Pokot Tribeswomen
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- Pokot Tribewomen and Jeff Brown
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- Welding the sign onto the bridge (Harmon Parker, J.Brown)
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- Central Pokot District Counsellor
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- Opening Ceremony
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- Opening Ceremony
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- Opening Ceremony
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- Richard of Bridging the Gap affixing the bridge sides
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- ISK students working on the bridge
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- ISK and the District Commissioner
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- David Robbins assesses the bridge cables
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- Getting started on the planks
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- The semi-arid terrain of the Marich Pass/Mt. Kol
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- David Robbins assesses the bridge cables
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- Anchorings
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- Almost done
Photos by D. Robbins
A very special thanks to Isabella Cufari of DeLovely Cosmetic Apothecary who helped fundraise specifically for this latest project. Thank you DeLovely!
This is one of the coolest bridges I’ve ever built and the most meaningful. Jeff Brown, you are a “Bridge to a Better World”! On behalf of the benefiting community, I want to thank Friends of Marich and all the others who donated to make this dream of a bridge become a reality.
Harmon Parker
Hats of to Harmon Parker for his calling and his vision of a better world for the people of this region. And thank you Jeff and your memorial fund supporters to help make this bridge a reality. The experience we all had is indescribable, and to help build this bridge in memory of Sharon and Margaux, a privilege. On behalf of Friends of Marich, our sincere thanks.
I felt sad at first looking at this, thinking about Sharon and Margaux, but when I looked at the pictures, the faces of the people, and read what this project did, I could see what an amazing experience this was, and can see the continued rippling effects when amazing people come together.