Words from hearts of the impoverished

Residents of Xiajiachong Village, Luotuoao Town, Luotian County, of central China’s Hubei Province, Xiong Xiaorui and his other five family members have been registered as impoverished due mostly to his parents being mired in long-term illness. In October 2015, Xiong joined the black goat–breeding targeted poverty alleviation project. He is currently raising more than 80 goats, and the sale of 23 of his black goats brought him over 20,000 yuan (U.S. $2,962) in revenue. It is expected that Xiong will make more than 40,000 yuan (U.S. $5,932) next year. He holds up a sign that reads, “I breed black goats, which have helped me earn income.” [Photo by Wen Wei]