Affection brings hope to the poor

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).

For Liu Xingyi, poverty is about not having enough money to meet his basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter. 

Liu, a poor 72-year-old man living in Nanpo Village of Lintong, who used to be a shepherd and veterinary surgeon, has some experience of raising poultry and livestock. But a shortage of money made it hard for him to take up his old job again.

To help Liu escape from poverty, Wei Yi, a cadre assigned to a twinning anti-poverty program from the CBED, sent several milking goats to Liu’s home.

“It is an easy way to keep him busy and happy that gives him fresh hope,” says Wei, who recognized the need for a fresh activity to revive the vigor and power of the frail old man.

One afternoon in July, Wei, together with some colleagues, paid a visit to Liu’s home while Liu was busy cooking. They saw that he was using a faulty plug board and hotplate that might cause a deadly fire. After helping Liu cut off the electricity supply, Wei rushed out to buy a new set of equipment. 

Wei also helped install a plug on a bodyboard that is bonded with pressure-sensitive tape to protect against any electric shock due to leakage or earthing faults. 

It is the affection from the anti-poverty cadres that brings Liu a step nearer wealth.