Sustainable development efforts boost rural communities

People crochet decorative hanging baskets in Huimin county. [Photo by Meng Lingtong for chinadaily.com.cn]

In order to boost their quality of life, Huimin county – in Binzhou city, in East China's Shandong province – is paving the way for its rural people to increase their productivity, in order to alleviate poverty.

The county is said to be really committed to realizing the transition from meeting the basic living needs of people in difficulty, to improving their living standards in all areas.

Huimin brings in professional social work service organizations to carry out professional training – teaching such things as weaving, e-commerce and pastry making – according to the individual needs of the people in difficulty.

Zu Zaihui, in charge of Huimin county's Juren social work service center, said that their annual training program had already held over 60 sessions, with a service attendance of more than 20,000 people.

Thanks to the municipal government's help, local Zhou Jamei mastered the technique of crocheting decorative hanging baskets after professional training.

This has brought her an income of 70 to 80 yuan ($9.62-10.99) a day, allowing her to shake off her dependence on low-income assistance. In addition, she has inspired more than 20 people around her to find employment.

To date, it's estimated that Huimin has helped more than 550 low-income people to realize their own value and improve their quality of life.

Jing Lejun, director of Huimin civil affairs bureau, noted that the county empowers low-income families and it is including this policy in its overall social assistance plan, with the aim of improving the motivation and self-development capabilities of underprivileged groups and families. (Edited by Fan Yuanyuan)