Bridge destroyed ruining mum’s plan to raise funds

The National National
Villagers looking at their damaged footbridge across the Lai River. It was damaged by floodwaters last Tuesday after heavy rain. – Picture supplied

By PETER WARI
LINA Joseph’s plan to sell vegetables for her children’s school fees was spoiled when a footbridge near her village was washed away by flood last Tuesday.
Joseph, from Injed village in the Lai-Valley local level government of the Mendi-Munihu, Southern Highlands, said about 2,000 people living in the ward relied on the footbridge to cross the Lai River.
It was built by the villagers using bush materials years ago.
Her eldest son Joshua will be in Grade 12, Samuel in Grade 7 and daughter Athasa in elementary.
“I usually take my vegetables to the roadside or sometimes to Mendi Market to sell but our only footbridge has been washed away,” she said. “There is another bridge which is more than five kilometres away.
“It is a real struggle.”
Joseph appealed to the district development authority and provincial government to build another footbridge for the people.
Community spokesman Martin Dilo said the villagers used the bridge to reach the Injed Primary School, two elementary schools and four churches.
Dilo said people living in the Sopa ward, along the road leading to Kandep in Enga, also had gardens at Injed village.
“It is sad to see mothers sitting in groups discussing about what they will do as they can no longer sell their produce at markets to raise funds,” he said.