A member of Lahuahua  makes dumplings for the elderly.

During the past two years, members of 74 Lahuahua groups of women volunteers, in Guyang (a county in Baotou, a city in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), have put much effort into providing companionship and real help to disadvantaged rural residents (including elderly residents who live alone and/or who are not able to take care of themselves).

Lahuahua, a dialectic expression of the western Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, means to have a face-to-face, heart-to-heart talk with someone. "When we established our first women volunteers' group, in December 2019, we named it 'Lahuahua,' which sounds natural and embodies the warm feeling of chatting intimately (with residents)," says Niu Qiaofeng, President of Guyang Women's Federation.

To help and care for disadvantaged rural residents, the federation and other organizations during the past two years have established 74 Lahuahua groups of women volunteers in Guyang. Headed by presidents of women's federations of villages (in Guyang), the groups' members often visit rural areas in the county, so they can see firsthand the villagers' needs, and the various difficulties the villagers face.

Chang Yuzhi, an elderly woman who lives alone in Guandi (a village in Guyang), was touched by Bai Wenmei (ex-president of the village's women's federation)'s concern for her, as Bai offered Chang fried rice cakes. "When I visited her a few days ago, I noticed the delicious smell of fried rice cakes, coming from a window of a villager's house, had caught Chang's attention. So, I made the cakes for her after I returned home. I was pleased to see her eat the cakes," recalls Bai.

Chatting with disadvantaged rural residents, and helping them cut their hair, buy daily necessities and/or do housework … such seemingly trifle matters are important work for members of Lahuahua.

Guo Jing, president of Liuweihao Village's women's federation and head of the village's Lahuahua group, often looks at the hundreds of photos kept in her mobile phone . The photos vividly record the group's activities, including helping disabled residents do housework, and helping impoverished farmers sell their agricultural products. Guo's heart fills with delight when she looks back on the precious moments in the group's members' lives . "We try our best to do small things well, so residents can live better lives. Many residents are grateful for us, and they say they are lucky to live in a good age, when the Party and the Chinese Government care for the people," says Guo.

"Many residents of Guyang have left home to work elsewhere in recent years. As a result, many elderly residents and children have been 'left behind.' So, we try our best to help the elderly, the children and other residents solve difficulties in their lives … As we are also rural residents, many villagers are willing to open their hearts to us (while chatting), " says Niu.

Photo Supplied by the Interviewee

(Women of China English Monthly December 2021 issue)