On this day, it was more lively than ever in the open space at the entrance of the village. Neighbors and villagers gathered together to make Zongzi (traditionally Chinese rice pudding), talking and laughing.

Most of the time, I would get closer to these people because of the project, but I have never seen such harmony and happiness as today.

In order to hold this Dragon Boat Festival event our project team began planning as early as a few months ago. All the issues that need to be considered, such as the origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, the theme of the event, the materials needed, the activity process and the participation of the villagers, have been properly planned in advance.

In fact, we want to realize the environmental improvement activities with the theme of "Welcoming the Dragon Boat Festival, stressing civilization and fostering active spirit" through this Dragon Boat Festival, so as to make Nanjiang Village more active on the road of new rural construction. The villagers will carry out their cleaning activities in their homes. After the Dragon Boat Festival, the project office and the village committee will conduct a large-scale cleaning and hygiene evaluation to select the best cleaning households, and reward them.

Zongzi, of course, is made at the Dragon Boat Festival. Many of the elderly and children came to the activity that day. Everyone got together and talked happily.

A dozen men, women, old and young gathered together to compete in making Zongzi. Everyone showed their special skills to make Zongzi fast and well. Although several ladies are old, the speed of wrapping Zongzi is no slower than that of young people. They rolled reed leaves in a funnel shape, filled glutinous rice, compacted, sealed, and tied skillfully. After a while, various beautiful Zongzi such as triangle, ox horn shape, and strip shape take shape instantly.

After the Zongzi-making competition, we gave some Zongzi to participants as well as the villagers present, and left the rest to the empty nesters and left-behind children.

"This Dragon Boat Festival event is very interesting. It not only leads us to build a new countryside, but also organizes a Zongzi-making competition. We feel the atmosphere of Dragon Boat Festival is stronger and stronger, and the villagers and neighbors are getting increasingly close. What touched us most was that handmade Zongzi were also sent to the empty nesters in the village. It’s so sweet.” The villagers participating in the event said happily.

Project introduction:

The Nanjiang Farmers' Clubs Project in Fengdu County, Chongqing City is implemented by the Chongqing Representative Office of HPP (Switzerland) and the Poverty Alleviation and Development Office of Fengdu County after receiving support funds. Starting from February 1, 2020, the project cycle will take three years. Through the establishment of Farmers’ Clubs and core groups, the project will distribute high-quality rice seeds to villagers to carry out ecological rice pilot, plant fruit trees, raise free-land chicken, organize villagers' training, establish a direct selling cooperative with its own product brand, and build an Internet marketing platform, so as to help villagers develop appropriate productions and drive economic income growth. While fundamentally promoting rural development, the project also pays attention to improving of rural women's self-awareness, mobilizing women's enthusiasm, improving the household environment and promoting the construction of human eco-environment. At the same time, we should develop productions with women as the main force and encourage them to actively participate in the construction of family and rural production activities.

The article only represents the author's personal views.