From Marathon Miles to Community Bridges: Tsenmah and Ndzenkov Bridges Completed in Ngondzen

The Tsenmah and Ndzenkov bridges in Ngondzen village, Bui Division, North West Region of Cameroon, have officially been completed and commissioned.

The project was delivered through a partnership between the Amom Foundation and the Ngondzen Development and Cultural Association (NDACA), with funding raised through Afowiri Kizito Fondzenyuy’s participation in the 2024 Tokyo Marathon.

The two bridges now provide safer and more reliable access for schoolchildren, farmers, traders, pregnant women and families who depend on these routes every day.

A Community Cut Off During the Rainy Season

Before the project began, the old bridges were badly deteriorated and unsafe. Cars and motorcycles could not cross them, while pedestrians faced serious risks, particularly during the rainy season.

Children struggled to reach school, farmers had difficulty transporting produce from their farms to local markets, and residents were often cut off from neighbouring communities and essential services.

Community members reported accidents involving motorcycles and pedestrians. In one particularly troubling incident, a child fell into the water and was rescued by a nearby resident.

The bridges were not simply damaged structures. Their condition had become a barrier to education, healthcare, trade and everyday community life.

Running to Build Bridges

In response to the community’s appeal, Afowiri dedicated his 2024 Tokyo Marathon campaign to raising funds for the reconstruction of the bridges.

Under the theme “Running to Build Bridges,” he called on supporters, sponsors and people of goodwill around the world to help restore safe access for the people of Ngondzen.

The Tokyo Marathon became a defining moment in Afowiri’s journey. Wearing the traditional Toghu attire of Cameroon’s North West Region, he earned a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon completed by a man wearing Toghu and also completed his Abbott World Marathon Majors Six-Star journey.

More importantly, the donations raised through that race were transformed into physical infrastructure with a direct and lasting impact.

Partnership Made the Project Possible

The Amom Foundation worked in partnership with NDACA to coordinate the bridge project and ensure that it responded to the community’s most urgent needs.

This partnership brought together the international fundraising reach of the Toghu Marathoner movement, the implementation support of the Amom Foundation and the local leadership and community knowledge of NDACA.

The result is two completed bridges serving the people who need them most.

Commissioned Through Running

The bridges were formally commissioned in November 2025 with a community celebration that included a symbolic short run by women from Ngondzen.

The run connected the project’s beginning with its completion: funds had been raised through running, and the completed bridges were celebrated through running.

Residents expressed their appreciation to Afowiri, the Amom Foundation, NDACA and every donor who contributed to the campaign.

One farmer explained that crops could now be transported from farms without the previous obstruction. Other residents highlighted the importance of the bridges to children travelling to school, women going to their farms and pregnant women seeking healthcare in nearby communities.

Donations Turned Into Lasting Impact

To every person who donated, sponsored, shared the campaign or encouraged Afowiri during the Tokyo Marathon: thank you.

You did not simply support a marathon. You helped build safer routes to schools, farms, markets, healthcare and neighbouring communities.

You helped replace isolation with connection and danger with safer passage.

The Tsenmah and Ndzenkov bridges demonstrate what can happen when sport, community leadership and collective generosity are directed towards a practical need.

For the people of Ngondzen, the real celebration will continue every day—in the footsteps of the children, farmers, traders and families who cross these bridges.

The bridges are complete, but the mission continues. Through the Amom Foundation and the Toghu Marathoner movement, we remain committed to transforming purposeful running into meaningful and lasting community impact.