Bridges to Prosperity started with a single photo in National Geographic. Builder Ken Frantz was so moved by an image taken of Ethiopian villagers trying to cross the broken Sebara Dildi bridge that he decided to repair it. Starting with that first bridge in 2001 over the Blue Nile, Frantz's nonprofit, Bridges to Prosperity, has constructed over 40 footbridges in seven countries, helping connect isolated communities to markets, health clinics and schools. Its next project: to construct three bridges that were damaged during a tropical depression earlier this year in El Salvador. The cost to build each bridge is $15,000 and 100 percent of donations goes towards training and construction. Peer-to-Peer Match: The Spud will match the first $100 in donations. Donate in any amount directly to Bridges to Prosperity by Friday and forward your donation confirmation to thespudorg@gmail.com. We'll match the donations in the order we receive the confirmations. Additionally, we'll donate $50 if we receive 100 new Twitter followers by then. Follow us here. The Spud thanks Mary Ellen Ward for sponsoring this challenge. UPDATE: This challenge has closed.
