Hands on Chengdu “Community Flowers” project 

Agility partnered with Hands on Chengdu  in the “Community Flowers” project to transport shipping containers from Yangzhou to Xie Zi village, on the outskirts of Chengdu.

Following the May 12, 2008, earthquake that hit Sichuan, Xie Zi village suffered heavy mudslides leaving the some parts of the village buried under 10 meters of debris.  The village’s 603 people had to relocate into temporary settlements.

Hands on Chengdu, a local volunteer organization developed the “Community Flowers” project. The idea was simple – transform the strong and sturdy, easily transportable containers into mini community centers.  The containers are arranged like flower petals, outward looking, opening up sheltered spaces for people to gather, rest.

In December 2009, the containers arrived in Chengdu. These containers were converted into medical rooms, libraries, counseling rooms and children play rooms that the villagers could utilize and feel a sense of normalcy during the reconstruction efforts.