Old couple up and out of poverty

Through the efforts of a strong anti-poverty work group stationed in Lintong District, Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, local residents have been able to free themselves from poverty and can welcome a more prosperous lifestyle. Thanks to the approach adopted by its twin Chan-Ba Ecological District (CBED).

At 78, Jiao Shengde never thought his later years would turn out like this—being bathed in the power of anti-poverty.

Jiao, a rural resident from Lintong lost his way in life as his youngest son was killed in a sudden accident ten years ago, while the two older ones had gone to live with their wives’ families far away.

The death and the separation of his offspring came as a heavy blow to Jiao. He and his wife struggled to focus on anything else. Eventually the pair became trapped in poverty and remained there for a long time.

In 2015, China pledged more support policies to lift its poorest people above the poverty line by 2020. Renovating sub-standard housing in the Lintong area is a key part of those efforts. A large number of poor people from the district have benefited from the measure. 

It was in 2015 that the couple said goodbye to their shanty house and moved to a 120-square-meter brick home. Not wanting to be a burden on the country, the couple decided to raise some chickens and produce some handicrafts to support themselves.

Since they were getting on in years, they have struggled to carry their feedstuff from a market that is so far away, says He Gangzhi, a cadre member from the CBED. Therefore, Mr. He regularly came to help them with their purchases. He also helped them to promote the sale of their chicken eggs and their bamboo baskets.

For Jiao, life is much more meaningful since he and his wife have escaped the poverty trap.