New World Wu Zhi Qiao 2008-2010

Site Location:Taibai Village, Heshui County, Qingyang City, Gansu
Villagers Benefited:2036 villagers (about 400 students)
Project Team:Teacher and student team from Xian University of Architecture and Technology (XUAT) , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (POLYU) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
Project Sponsor:New World Development Co Ltd


Quotes by WZQers
"When the nuts and bolts were done, I looked up to the hill where our camera man recorded the building process everyday. I wondered what we looked like from a bird-eye’s view – perhaps a colony of ants tottering with food twice our size? Ants are incredible. They can carry objects that outweigh them. As far as ants are concerned, however, the human fascination for their hard work is mostly just the romanticisation of a banal routine that sustains their life......The term wu-zhi translates as infinite connectivity. It refers to building physical as well as emotional connections between people. Now that I have taken part in building a Wuzhiqiao, I realize there is more to the sense of boundlessness in the concept of wu-zhi: the bridge provides for the opportunity to conduct daily tasks without the threat of floods. It is a means to sustain life."
- Miss Elizabeth Fung (Durham University)

"However, I have gained much more than I could have asked for over the nine days and thankfully my worries have somehow disappeared in one way or another. A lot of encounters were new, yet very exciting at the same time! As a whole team of volunteers, we all had different backgrounds, but shared the common goal of helping the villagers to build a bridge......Ultimately, a bridge too far/ “Wuzhiqiao” symbolises ‘endless’ education for the children in the village. That, however, would apply to me too. There is just so much more to learn in life!"
- Miss Jayne So (University College London)

"The troubled water rushed past, but fate will not stumble. We journeyed to Xi’an, reaching Taibai at the end of the rumble. The rain and wind depressed us, but we built the bridge. The hefty wheels rolled, the yonder shore reached. Devoted, through difficulties we plowed our way. After six days of toils quietly the new bridge laid. The inhabitants rejoiced, the volunteers rewarded. Taibai is forever gone, but our fellowship forever warded."
- Poem from Mr Au Siu Kei (New World Development Co Ltd)

"Living the simple life for a week had been extraordinary, and I felt very empty as I crossed the bridge for the last time on 
Saturday. As I stood on the other end – my feet dry – I looked back at the bridge, and eventually raised my gaze to our workplace that spread across the piece of rough muddy land that had once been full of the concrete wheels now sturdily lying on the riverbed. I knew I would not be back again – the village was way too remote. But I sought consolation in the fact that though I was leaving the bridge behind, I was taking so much more back to the city life with me. I have met amazing friends across Mainland China and Hong Kong, I have eaten very simple but wonderful food (with no MSG!), I have gotten to play with the kids in the village every day, and I have delightfully discovered that I am stronger than I thought. In more ways than one, tangible or not, I have taken the Wu Zhi Qiao back with me."
- Miss Cindy Fung (United World College of the Adriatic, Italy)