News & Updates

News and Updates
September 21 - 2016

Bridges to Prosperity

Engineers working on a bridge in Patzula Guatemala.


The bridges to prosperity team posing with the completed bridge.A recent addition to LEA’s Buildings Group, David Gerhardt travelled to the isolated rural community of Patzula, Guatemala on July 15th for a two-week excursion with his colleagues from the University of Toronto (U of T) chapter of Bridges to Prosperity. With the support of two members from the University of Illinois, and 20 local workers, the Bridges to Prosperity team designed and constructed a 34-meter suspended bridge, providing year-long access to school for children of the surrounding communities, and improved access to the local health care clinic.

LEA was one of the organizations that made this project possible, proudly contributing to the efforts of the U of T chapter.

“We really want to thank LEA for their contribution to our project this summer! They have made a huge difference in the lives of the people of Patzula, Guatemala allowing them to have access to essential services such as education and healthcare. Without this contribution we would not have been able to make this project happen”
– Brandon Jacobs, 2015-2016 Chapter President, 2016 Patzula Bridge Project Manager.

The construction of the Patzula bridge marked the first full project that the U of T chapter completed. The U of T chapter of Bridges to Prosperity has been three years in the making, and David is proud to be one of its founding members. These projects are both a way to support isolated communities in developing countries and a way to help develop the engineering skills of our future engineers of Canada.

“Our students are truly magnificent! They are champions of so many important causes, and they have the talent and tenacity to make great things happen. We are so proud to see an alumnus continuing his involvement in this way. David Gerhardt’s kindness not only changed lives in Guatemala, but also right here on campus as a role model who encourages and inspires others. With the added support of David’s employer – LEA – the ripple effect is expanded even further. Congratulations to the U of T Bridges to Prosperity Club and to LEA for making a meaningful difference!”
– Sonia De Buglio, Director of Alumni Relations, Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, University of Toronto

Bridges to Prosperity and LEA Consulting Logo.

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