For the families of Kadipur village, West Bengal, crossing a canal wasn’t just an inconvenience—it added 12-15 extra kilometres to their daily commute. With farming and daily wage work as their primary livelihoods, every additional hour spent travelling meant lost time, energy, and resources.
During a community meeting with Goonj’s partner organization, Bulbulchandi & Barind Development Society (BBDS), villagers voiced their challenge. The canal became even more treacherous during the rainy season, making it difficult for families to access work, education, and essential service.
But instead of waiting for an external solution, the community decided to take action.
Kadipur village canal before bridge construction
A Bridge Built by the People, for the People
Through Goonj’s Cloth For Work (CFW) initiative, villagers proposed a bamboo bridge—a simple yet effective solution to reclaim their connectivity.
- Villagers worked together to build a 27-foot-long, 5-foot-wide bridge—a structure that now stands as a symbol of self-reliance and collective problem-solving
- “This bridge has changed how we move—it saves us hours every day. More than that, it has strengthened our sense of community.” – A Kadipur resident
Beyond just improving mobility, this effort reaffirmed the power of grassroots action, proving that when communities take ownership of their challenges, they create solutions that are sustainable, impactful, and rooted in dignity.
Community members constructing the bamboo bridge
The Power of Grassroots Innovation
The Kadipur bamboo bridge is more than just infrastructure—it represents a shift in mindset. Self-driven change is lasting change.
Kadipur’s community-built bamboo bridge
Be part of this movement
For over two decades, Goonj has facilitated thousands of such conversations, sparking action-led solutions where communities take charge of their own challenges. Our invitation to you is, start from where you are.. From a small change of starting a Goonj kee Gullak or Team 5000, joining a long and deep change process, or things in between- organising a collection drive, a volunteering journey, an internship, or simply walking with us signing for a Goonj monthly newsletter subscription.. More on www.goonj.org or write to [email protected].
Many options, but the choice is always one; Taking Action..
