LUSAKA MAZYOPA

Lusaka’s northern outskirts are cut in half by the Chimwemwe River. On one side are the homes of the Roma residential area, and the other the poor semi-rural community of Mazyopa. The residents of Mazyopa rely on the jobs, schools, and markets on the other side of the river. However, they could only cross the river when the river was low enough to place old steel railway rails across the stream bed stones. Crossing this way was very risky. Also, those that placed the rails across the stream bed during low water, often charge 1000 Kwacha (about $.30) to cross each way. This is a huge amount to charge the poor, and substantially restricts free commerce. Also, there is a school on one side of the river that requires the children of Mazyopa to cross back and forth to daily. However, these children were forced to miss school or make a very long detour. This is a very high traffic crossing, where a year-round bridge made a huge impact on the community.