This summer, teachers and students from two WeCan schools and a WeCan scholar participated in Wu Zhi Qiao Service Project 2023, sponsored by The Wharf Group.  The team travelled to Xingxi Village in Chongqing to help in footbridge building and engage in community improvement works.

In preparation for the journey, 16 teachers and students engaged in a series of pre-trip workshops starting in May. These workshops covered a wide range of skills, including cooking, first aid, electrical work and plastering.  On 22 July 2023, the team embarked on a journey of nine days and eight nights, collaborating to construct a footbridge for Xingxi Village and contributing to the enhancement of the neighborhood’s living conditions, such as painting walls and installing fixtures in villagers’ homes.

On the final day of their journey, the team had the opportunity to visit Niccolo Chongqing at Chongqing IFS, where they gained insights from the hotel management team regarding the career prospects within China’s hotel industry.

The service project served to broaden the students’ horizons, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the rural living environment and local customs. Through firsthand experiences, students came to recognise the importance of serving communities in need, and gained valuable insights into the working environment of the hotel industry in mainland China.