One Micro Step, One Giant Dream

Cao Zhengliang lifted himself out of poverty through micro credit. Now he is encouraging others in his village to follow in his footsteps.

Cao Zhengliang, a 38-year-old farmer with a senior middle school education, hails from Huangyuan County in northwestern China's Qinghai Province.

On first sight, judging from Cao Zhengliang's home and possessions, one might conclude that he is rich. A tractor and a motorcycle are parked in his yard and a refrigerator sits in his living room. On the wall, there is a certificate of merit in recognition of his efforts in leading his fellow villagers out of poverty.

Cao, a 38-year-old farmer with a senior middle school education from Huangyuan County in northwestern China's Qinghai Province, used to work long and grueling hours working as a migrant worker to support the whole family. In 2001, he went to Tibet to dig for gold, only to come back empty-handed.

Despite this setback, 2001 was a turning point for Cao. He got a loan of 1,000 yuan(US$161) from micro credit and took up pig raising. He then applied for an additional loan of 3,000 yuan to buy sheep and cows after his initial efforts proved profitable. His business grew rapidly and by 2007, his total assets stood at 15,000 yuan and his annual income had increased from 1000 yuan in 2001 to 7,000 yuan.

Following his success, Cao encouraged other villagers to apply for micro credit and start their own business. Led by Cao, a quarter of the households in the village took the first step to financial success through microcredit.