From August 8^th to the 15^th, 2011, MID2010 students Elizabeth Fung, Gavin Lohry and Holly Zhao traveled to Xianyuan Village, Yongshen County, Yunnan Province to participate in the “Tsinghua-HKU Centenary Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China)” project as part of a group of 52 volunteers from Tsinghua University and Hong Kong University. The project was organized by the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Foundation, a registered charitable organization in Hong Kong. It was more so a special occasion because the two participating institutions, Tsinghua and HKU, were in the midst of their respective Centennial Celebrations.

 

The Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Foundation and Professor Edward Ng of the Department of Architecture at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Foundation had launched a bridge construction project called “A Bridge Too Far,” aimed to encourage students from Hong Kong and mainland universities, as well as professional volunteers, to use sustainable building concepts to work together to build bridges in rural China. These bridges not only respond to the urgent needs of the rural environment and improve the villagers’ quality of life, but they also strengthen cross-border contact and promote sustainable development. Currently, the Foundation has completed 20 project sites across the northeastern and southwestern provinces of China.

 

This particular bridge project was independently designed by students from the Tsinghua University School of Architecture. MID 2010 student Elizabeth Fung was involved in the early stages of the research of the rural environment, traveling to Xiaoyuan village to conduct valuable field research. She completed an in-depth study on the village’s local rural development and immediate needs. MID 2010 students Gavin Lohry and Holly Zhao were post-selected to participate in the Tsinghua-HKU volunteer team.

 

The three students were able to learn a lot during the exciting and fulfilling week. In addition to the planned bridge construction work, they also participated in a number of locally organized village activities. The students used their free time to learn about local agriculture, the rural economy, health and sanitation, infrastructure and other development issues. Through this social practice trip the students were able to gain a deeper understanding of China’s development issues.

 

On August 15^th, a bridge completion ceremony was held. Through the efforts of all of the volunteers, the bridge was successfully completed and had resolved the difficult issue of crossing the river (especially when it is flooded) for the local school children. At the same time, the volunteers expressed that this social practice trip gave them an invaluable experience that cannot be learned in the classroom and which will be important for their future studies, research and careers.