"I come from a rural family in a mountainous area. Our family used to lead a happy life before my father passed away, from a critical disease, several years ago. Since then, my mother has become the breadwinner in the family. Meanwhile, I am determined to be a doctor, to save many lives and prevent children from suffering similar pains, like me," Xirao Lamu, a student at Kangding Tibetan Middle School, in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, said during the inaugural ceremony of the 'Go on Mulan: Safeguard the Growth of Women" charitable program, in Kangding, on July 15.

'Go on Mulan' in Action

China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF), Alibaba Foundation and Alipay Foundation established the "Go on Mulan" charitable program in 2018. Mulan is the legendary Chinese heroine who disguised herself as a male warrior to perform military service for her ailing father. "Go on Mulan" aims to provide impoverished women with free public-welfare insurance in education and healthcare.

Li Xiaoyan, an official with CWDF, says, by the end of 2021, the charitable project had raised nearly 160 million yuan (US $22.86 million), benefited more than 3 million women from 41 counties in 14 provincial regions, helped 76,000 women receive subsidies for claim settlement, and provided financial assistance worth about 99 million yuan (US $14.14 million) to beneficiaries.

Angwang Yangjin presents hada, a piece of white silk used as a greeting gift among Tibetan people, to guests at the entrance of her village.

During the past four years, the project has earned wide social recognition and received several high-level awards — including the 11th China Charity Award for Charity Project and Trust, and the Most Influential Online Charitable Projects in Hangzhou — in honor of its enormous contributions to charitable causes. 

Meanwhile, its short, public-welfare film, Seven Days of Rebirth, was named one of the Top 10 Short Films at the 25th China Documentary Ceremony, in November 2019. Earlier this year, its official publicity film, I Love My Family: Go on Mulan, earned the charity an award, in the category of rural revitalization, presented by China Television Artists Association.

Silang Wengmu is determined to become a kindergarten teacher.

The charity now provides former impoverished women in key areas of rural revitalization with free public-welfare insurance in education and healthcare, and it promotes the women's all-around development.

Helping Fulfill Dreams

To expand their reach, CWDF and Alibaba Foundation kicked off the "Go on Mulan: Safeguard the Growth of Women" program during the ceremony in Kangding, on July 15, in collaboration with Alibaba's Ant Financial and Ant Insurance.

Kangding, in the eastern area of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is an important transportation link between Sichuan and Tibet Autonomous Region. A key commercial town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, it is home to people of the Tibetan, Han, Hui, Yi and Qiang ethnic groups. Kangding was removed from the national list of poverty-hit counties in April 2019.

A photo of Xirao Wengmu (left) with her mother and older sister

With an altitude of more than 3,500 meters, Xinduqiao, a town in Kangding, has been a traditional habitat of Muya Tibetan people. With beautiful natural scenery, it is known as "the world of light and shadow," and "the paradise for photographers." 

 In recent years, the local government has made efforts to develop its cultural and tourism industries, and to help people increase their incomes.

Thanks to economic growth and improvements in the transportation infrastructure, local children have become more interested in learning about the outside world.

Silang Wengmu, from Shuiqiao, a village tucked away deep in the mountains of Xinduqiao, is a student, majoring in preschool education, at Luzhou Vocational and Technical College. She is determined to become a kindergarten teacher.

Zeren Yangji, a student at Kangding Tibetan Middle School, has worked hard and become one of the leading students in her class. During an interview, she said she would strive to contribute to society, and she would try her utmost to help others in return for the social assistance she has received.

Xirao Lamu stands in front of her family's house. Her wish is to take her mother to visit Lhasa.

Xirao Wengmu lives with her parents and older sister in Dongeluo, a village in Xinduqiao. Her father works near home, and her mother does housework and feeds more than a dozen yaks. She said her dream is to help lighten the burden on her parents, so they feel less tired.

Li Qiong, President of Ganzi Women's Federation, said, during the launch ceremony, the program will help thousands of women, and their families, realize their dreams of living a better life. 

Photos Supplied by Fan Wenjun, Chen Meng and Interviewees 

(Women of China English Monthly October 2022 issue)