LOCALLY BASED CHARITY HELPS PROVIDE CROSSING FOR STRANDED VILLAGERS

THE work of a Lisburn charity has helped to dramatically change the life of people from a West African region cut off from basic supplies due to a surrounding river flooding them in the wet seasons.

Friends in Action - a non-profit registered Christian charity - recently completed the building of a 210ft Bailey bridge in the remote Tanda region.

Four teams from all over Northern Ireland travelled to work on the bridge, which was completed earlier this year. One team involved in the project was made up with representatives from Lisburn Cathedral, the Independent Methodist Church Causeway End Road and the Elim Church in Hillsborough.

Lisburn businessman Drew Johnston, a Director from Friends in Action, said the charity were contacted by missionaries working in the Tanda region requesting help to provide some sort of crossing.

"The charity is traditionally known for drilling water wells in Ghana and Burkina Faso but we were delighted to get involved with the project," explained Drew.

The bridge was supplied by local business Grahams of Dromore in 2004 after a chance remark about the project with Philip Brown who works for the company.

"They kindly donated the bridge which had been previously used in the construction of the M1 and the Foyle Bridge," explained Drew.

"Philip Donald, a former employee of Grahams came out of retirement to help translate the complex instruction manual that came with the bridge and identified the quantity of parts available and those in need of re-manufacturing and Castlewellan firm Walter Watson and Co. sandblasted and painted the bridge free of charge."

The bridge and necessary equipment was shipped to Guinea during the Spring of 2005 and the construction work- which took six weeks to complete - got underway at the beginning of this year.

"Many of the Tanda people live on the far side of the Tomboya River which is about 200 feet wide," Drew explained.

"The river causes no problems during the dry season but from May to November it rises up to 12 feet at times. There is an alternative route but it can take nearly 12 hours and is only passable with a four-wheel drive.

"The natives were unable to leave the area to trade their goods, buy supplies or get medical attention.

"The building of this bridge will bring great economic benefits to the people, especially during the wet season when starvation and death from malaria is common.

"This project has brought credibility to Christianity in a predominantly Muslim country and has brought the New Tribes Mission into a favourable position with the Guinea government," added Drew.