Words from hearts of the impoverished

Hailing from Jijiagang Village, Donghuangshui Town, Yangqu County, of north China’s Shanxi Province, Wang Jihong shook off unemployment—and the resulting poverty—caused by a lack of skills. Joining the village-wide tourism poverty alleviation project, Wang set up an inn, began raising chickens, and built a vegetable greenhouse, all of which brought his family an annual income of more than 30,000 yuan (U.S. $4,433). They hold up a sign up that reads, “This is our happy home. We welcome you back for the Chinese New Year!” [Photo by Liu Hongtao]