Zuoquan: The On-target Poverty Alleviation Model

Central government and local officials discuss how best to bring poverty reduction projects into effect.[Photo by Zheng Liang]

Brainstorm and Act

Officals play a key role in poverty relief. Zuoquan is the site of integrated efforts by people from all walks of society. Lou Yangsheng, governor of Shanxi Province, is one of them. Last April, Lou went to Zuoquan to carry out an on-site inspection and do research. His aim was to get people’s heads together in a concerted effort to formulate policies and measures. This was a solemn commitment to the people, the governor said.

Familiar with the problems of each family, village officials work on the forefront. As the “graying” population is a prominent problem in Lichang Village, the village’s CPC committee set up a daycare center for the aged, with assistance from the county government. It provides three meals a day for people aged 65 and above. “About 40 people dine at the center each day,” said Song Xianglin, head of the village’s CPC committee. “If they have no one to look after them, they can stay at the center. We have all the necessary facilities.”

“I have three meals at the center for free, and cooperative medical care,” Song Xirong, aged 80, said. “We dine together, play poker, and enjoy one another’s company. We don’t need to bother our children.”