Locals use personal initiative to build community bridge
Print Edition
A married couple recently built a bridge over a deep ditch in the village of Fanjia in Maogong Town to make it easier for older farmers to access their fields.
The ditch was part of a series of earthworks to establish fire breaks in the heavily forested area, where trees were planted to help protect Shanghai water supplies upstream on the Huangpu River.
The ditches may help fire protection and prevent erosion into water sources, but they proved a cumbersome barrier for old villagers, who were forced to cross them on thin wooden planks.
Zhang Yuanzhen and her husband, who lived near the makeshift crossing, finally decided to do something about what they considered an intolerable situation.
The couple constructed a small but sturdy two-meter bridge of boards and concrete, using materials left over from construction of their house.
It wasn鈥檛 the first time the couple showed innovation in solving local problems. Eight years ago, the couple built a larger bridge, enabling automobiles to pass to the west side of their home.
Since the bridge involved adjacent properties, the couple had to go door-to-door seeking support.
Some villagers even offered contributions to help defray the costs, but the couple insisted in paying for materials out of their own pocket.
They bought all the construction material and had a professional bricklayer to do all the measurements.
Zhang, 57, is a bit of a heroine in her local community. She still works at the Songjiang Nursing Home, caring bedridden seniors.
She鈥檚 due to retire in four months, but elderly residents at the home have implored the administration to keep her on.
Back in the village, Zhang carries on volunteer work assisting older residents.
鈥淲hile I still have my strength, I should help people who don鈥檛,鈥 she said.
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