Village Official Finds Fulfillment in Anti-Poverty Battle

Xie Jiaqing, a prosecutor in Zunyi City, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, has gained a sense of fulfillment by joining the battle against poverty in a mountain village for four years. 

"It has been a cherished experience in my life to do something meaningful in Zhuyuan Village and gain people's trust," said Xie.

Zhuyuan, a village located in a remote area surrounded by steep mountain slopes and vertical valleys, has become an isolated "islet" that lags behind other places.

As a Chinese saying goes, paving road is the first step to become prosperous. Xie's proposal to pave roads won support from local people. Some donated money and others contributed labor. Xie and the local village officials led them to overcome one difficulty after another, as large machinery was out of the question in the tough environment. 

After two years, a 19.8-kilometer external route and 21 internal roads were completed, running over the cliffs. "It is more convenient, and everything has changed," said Huang Guangling, secretary of the Party branch of the village.

Xie invited agricultural experts to conduct field surveys in the village and help locals explore ways to become rich. Aware that the soil is suitable for planting walnuts and sorghum, she went out to learn how to develop a walnut industry. 

After nearly a year's trial, the first 315 mu (21 hectares) of a walnut demonstration base in the village came to fruition. 

Xie also dropped in on the locals from door to door, explaining the benefits of unified management to them. She encouraged them to join the walnut cooperatives and foster a long-term money spinning industry. 

"At present, many fellows are not living in their hometown. Only if we take up unified management can the walnut industry continue to develop well," said Cai Yugang, a villager who backed up Xie's idea. 

Meanwhile, Xie focused on improving education. A distance education platform and an Internet cafe were established to promote training sessions on planting and breeding techniques for villagers, and public service facilities such as a kindergarten and a cultural square have also been established in the village. 

In addition, she mobilized 58 prosecutors to offer pairing-up assistance to needy children, while many enterprises helped fund 22 high school and college students.

With people's endorsement and support, Xie will continue to serve as the first secretary and to fight against poverty on the front line. 

"People's trust and support empower me to make unremitting anti-poverty efforts and I will try my best," said Xie.

(Women of China)