In Gansu province of Northwest China, the Po River separates a remote and humble village, Maosi into two parts. Given the limited types of local construction materials, local people resorted to a primitive and unstable footbridge made simply of mud, straw and tree branches over the waters. This was the only crossing for village children to go between school and home. Wading across the river was their daily ritual. Slipping, falling, bruises and cuts were not uncommon. During every rainy season, the bridge would be washed away. The school children could not but suspend classes, stand at the riverside and watch the flooding waters resignedly.
In view of this, Professor Edward Ng from the Chinese University of Hong Kong launched a joint-university bridge building project entitled “A Bridge Too Far, A Dream Comes True”. Gathering the synergy of professionals and students from various universities in Hong Kong and the Mainland, Professor Edward Ng and over 60 volunteers from both Hong Kong and the Mainland erected a permanent bridge with their bare hands in 6 days.
A video of Professor Edward Ng's Lecture at the National University of Singapore:
