2010

Palquí is a small community in the tierra caliente, the humid lowlands south of Uspantán. It doesn't rain much there, but the streams and tributaries flowing through the area can suddenly flood due to heavy rains in the highlands, and gullies and ravines can become raging rivers in seconds. The village of Palquíis is divided into two parts by the river Qebrada Palquí, and over half of the children have to cross the river to get to school.

Before NDSEED's 2010 bridge, locals crossed on a rickety plank at the bottom of a steep gully that was washed away almost every time it rained. During the rainy season, the river was impassable and students had to walk an hour out of the way to reach the schoolhouse. Teachers say that in times of flooding, attendance dropped by half, if not more. A suspended footbridge in this beautiful community was only a small investment still providing huge returns for the children of Palquí.