Embroidery offers a way to tackle poverty

"Pray, Lady Qiao, come to Earth this day. Teach me embroidery and how to sew ... wisdom, joy and ingenuity, do on me bestow."

In Xihe county of Longnan city, Gansu province, these lyrics are well known to women. The county is one of 189 in China designated as poverty stricken, in which 223 out of 384 villages are deeply impoverished.

Xihe county is at the upper reaches of the Jialing River, south of the West Qinling Mountains, and as well as having its roots in farming is also known for its scenic beauty.