Pressing on

Yang Zhijun, deputy secretary of the county Party committee, said the next few steps will involve monitoring mechanisms to prevent a "return to poverty", in part by ensuring that key income targets are met and assistance measures in place to cope with disasters, illnesses and other factors that may adversely affect lives.

"Sustainable industry is key to stable income growth. To that effect, we will endeavor to extend production chains to help raise more incomes," he said.

In April 2018, the county also rolled out more programs to encourage women in the village to take part in skills training and job placements in sectors ranging from agriculture to food manufacturing. Within a month, workshops helped more than 30 women find jobs, reporting average monthly incomes of up to 3,000 yuan.

Ma Juan, 29, has been spearheading the push to involve more women in industry in Bulenggou. Ma returned to her Dongxiang hometown three years ago after completing her tertiary studies in the city, helping the production and distribution of the ethnic group's traditional cookies.

The Bulenggou cookie production plant, which employs 16 women, including villager Ma Mai Re Ze, and with a reported monthly output capacity of 12 metric tons valued at 280,000 yuan, showcases the latest marketing, e-commerce and other technologies that the young social entrepreneur helped initiate in her community.

"I wanted to drive positive change that included women's contributions and their empowerment," Ma Juan said.

"At first, I wanted to leave this place and escape poverty. But my perspectives changed and I felt it was important to return and make a difference," she said.

Shan Binjie, head of the village Party committee, said the significant and continuous improvements in infrastructure and services have not only raised the quality of life, but also opened up links beyond the community.

"Those who have been outside the village have also seen its development and actually been drawn back to start their own businesses and contribute," he said.

Bulenggou schoolteacher Sun Qiang arrived in the village from Gansu's Pingliang area about 400 km away seven years ago, before the elementary school moved down the slope to new premises boasting a two-level complex, reading corner, six teaching rooms including a computer hub, canteen and teachers' accommodation.

"When I arrived here, I initially thought about leaving because of the tough conditions. But I was advised to stick it out, because things would get better very soon… and that's exactly what happened," said Sun, 30.

Full enrollment

With more than 60 students, the village records full enrollment rates at its school and kindergarten. At least three of its students have graduated and have been admitted to universities.

"Teachers who get attached here now don't want to leave," Sun said. "They'll stay for at least a few years. The greatest satisfaction I get is when students do well and improve their grades."

Yang, the deputy secretary of Dongxiang's Party committee, said nearly 200 million yuan was used last year to build, renovate and expand 52 schools and three kindergartens in the county, with another 240 million yuan planned this year to invest in the education sector and the next generation, focusing on increased accessibility, quality and innovation to clear the path toward continued development.

"We want to make sure that no one misses out on our growth," he said.