Taipingzhuang Village: To address the common problems in northern rural areas

Efforts by Taipingzhuang

Since 2014, Ongniud Banner has invested more than 50 million yuan (U.S. $7.2 million) to address the six issues mentioned above. In terms of water irrigation, 18.1 million yuan (U.S. $2.6) has been invested in a sub-surface drip irrigation system covering some 467 hectares of land, and a surface irrigation system covering 400hectaresof land. Ten wells have been dug. With three drinking water projects being accomplished, safe drinking water are now available to all villagers.

In terms of transportation, 16.6 million yuan (U.S. $2.4 million) has been invested in building 29 km of highway and 18 km of concrete streets. 620,000 yuan (U.S. $90,412) has been invested in electricity, and 3power transmission units covering 157 households have been upgraded, making safe electricity available to all the six villagers’ groups. 25.6million yuan (U.S. $3.7 million) has been invested in ecological construction, resulting in more than 10,000 trees being planted in key areas there. 145,000yuan (U.S. $21,145) has been invested in the building of a90-square-meterpatient care center provided with two doctors.

A Women’s Home has been set up to provide training for women, and 12 training sessions on farming, family values, and protection of rights have been organized with over 730 attendees.

These investments have made all the difference to poverty alleviation in Taipingzhuang.

In addition, the cultural activities hall and the villagers’ meeting room have been extended to cover a floor space of 340 square meters.

The convenience store near the villagers committee is popular with villagers in search of groceries. The manager of the store, Huang Suzhen, told this reporter that the store had previously been located in a small room nearby. “At the time, all the goods were displayed and stacked inside a single cabinet.”

In 2015, the old building housing the village clinic and convenience store were renovated into a modern patient care center and a larger grocery store. Now the goods for sale are displayed neatly on the shelves of the store, and people there can buy what they need at clearly marked prices.

The store makes a profit of 70-80 yuan (U.S. $10-12) a day. The most popular products are beer and cigarettes. “Now people have a better standard of living and have enough money to buy more than just the basic necessities.” Having been selling products to the villagers for years, Huang Suzhen witnesses the increasing purchasing power of villagers over the recent couple of years.

Her husband is working at the patient care center next door. When Premier Li visited the village, he advised the officials to raise the income of the local doctors providing health care for the villagers.

In the past, villagers had no confidence in the small clinic’s capacity for medical treatment, they often went to seek treatment at distant hospitals, even with the slightest illnesses. The doctors found it hard to earn a decent living, and they would sometimes look for new jobs.

Now the medical center comprises a diagnosis and treatment room, a pharmacy and a room for intravenous infusions. It is equipped with computers and proper medical facilities. In addition, the village doctors have set up health files for every villager. Diseases have dragged some20 families in the village into poverty. The village doctors now are giving them regular support by providing free consultations and other medical services.

The villagers now find the medical center very convenient, with better services at affordable prices.