Commuting to Kenlyngdoh village is challenging as the footpath bridge over Umrishan river, is difficult to walk on. The problem lies in the approach path to the bridge as it is not properly connected. Children, even people carrying the heavy load on their back and especially at night makes it difficult as they have to crawl to get through the bridge. Anytime an accident can be anticipated while crossing the bridge. Things get worse during summers when the river swells making it more dangerous to reach the bridge.

Kenlyngdoh is one of the villages under the FARM Northeast programme II, located in Nongstoin C&RD Block, West Khasi Hills District. The village is 16 km from Nongstoin with only 18 households and 74 populations. The people sustain themselves through agricultural activities for their livelihood. They are very friendly by nature and very cooperative with any issue taking by the village council.

Kenlyngdoh is not connected by all-weather roads with the outside world. Hence, the people had to walk by foot from the village to the nearest motorable village of Nongkaniang which is well connected with Nongstoin town. To reach Nongkaniang they have to cross Umrishan river which can be crossed (particularly in summer) through one footpath bridge. The footpath bridge is cemented but the approach path to the bridge (at the tip of the bridge on both sides) is constructed with logs and planks which is being broken every now and then.

The Facilitator of FARM Northeast II had a series of meeting with the village council to discuss the issue. After much efforts of making the people understands the importance of addressing the issue, on February 25, 2018, the people took a final decision to repair the bridge on their own. “We need to do something concrete immediately before the summer season come or the rainwater will inflict more damage on the bridge”, said Mr. Kaspar Lyngdoh, village headman.

On March 9-10, 2018 as per the decision of the village council, the villagers came together bringing along constructing materials like cement, stones, and sand to carry out the plan. They worked wholeheartedly for two days to complete the work. Now people can travel with ease from the village to the Nongstoin town, the District Headquarter.  “Every year we used to repair the path with some wood and had to do it every now and then. But now we are satisfied as we have done it with cement and hopefully it will last longer. Thanks to all villagers and facilitator for making the work as per plan possible”, says the satisfied village secretary Mr. Pius Sohphoh.