Perseverance offers path to better life

On Nov 17, the authorities in Sichuan said that the counties of Puge, Butuo, Jinyang, Zhaojue, Xide, Yuexi and Meigu in Liangshan prefecture had been removed from the poverty list, meaning that all 88 counties in Sichuan were no longer impoverished.

In 2018, Bamuyubumu's family received a subsidy of 40,000 yuan from the local government to build their concrete home. The house is bright and clean, has tiled floors and many electronic appliances.

A paved road was built in Taoyuan village in 2018. Running water, electricity and telecommunications services were also introduced.

Bamuyubumu's family is now entitled to financial support for healthcare and education, and she and her husband still work away from home during the non-farming season to earn extra money.

Looking to the future, Bamuyubumu said: "I have to do more work and make more money, and the children must study hard and never experience what I have been through. We should advance, no matter what happens, whatever the adversity."

Zhou said that if many more people adopted Bamuyubumu's enthusiastic approach to life, "whether they are in rural areas or cities, I think they can see hope."

Ma Chi contributed to this story.