HARRIS: More than 60,000 people -- and this is a horrible fact here, but it is what it is, and that's a fact -- drown in Africa each year. Now, this week's CNN Hero is literally saving lives by building bridges that help Kenyans cross some very troubled waters every day. Harmon Parker connects thousands with live-changing resources. Have a look.</s>PARKER: What strikes me about this place is the beauty and the feeling of being insignificant. Life for people here is very difficult, very secluded. The beauty of this place also becomes dangerous because of these mountains when it rains.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): My father came to the market in the morning. He was with my mother. On the way back in the evening, they found the river was flooded. They drowned.</s>PARKER: I've worked all over Kenya. Every community has the same story of crocodiles and hippos, and loved ones lost. When it floods, people really suffer not being able to get across to the clinic or to the market or to their school. Oh, look at this. Here comes some kids helping. The very first bridge I built, I saw how it changed lives and transformed communities, so I carried on. And I love what I do. My name is Harmon Parker, and I build bridges to transform people's lives. The community has to initiate the project. They have to participate and make some sort of financial contribution. I don't know how many goats I have in this region, but they always give me a goat. I've spent half of my life in a tent. I've had malaria seven or eight times. It's hard, and it takes a lot of determination. The bridge is a beautiful metaphor for many things. I feel I'm privileged to do what I'm doing, destined to help people, and I'm driven by that.</s>HARRIS: Good stuff, huh? Really terrific stuff. Harmon's work has brought 45-foot bridges to remote Kenya, improving the lives of tens of thousands of people. To watch the residents of one village dedicate his latest bridge project, or to help Harmon build more like it, just go to CNNHeroes.com.
Building Bridges to Save Lives