Perseverance offers path to better life

Initially, her family members earned 6,000 yuan a year, as they lacked expertise and experience in planting tobacco. With local authorities making concerted efforts and offering advice to residents, the family's tobacco yields grew significantly, as did their income, which reached 100,000 yuan last year.

During his interview with Bamuyubumu, Zhou noticed that she had many blisters on her hands, which sometimes bleed when she sorts stones on the tobacco farm. However, she has continued to work despite the pain.

Bamuyubumu's determination to shake off poverty not only impressed Zhou but also her family and neighbors.

One neighbor, Abuwulai, who once worked with her in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, told Chuanguan News, "Whether she is at home or working outside, she is very diligent. When others are resting, she works overtime, finding things to do and earning more than they do".

Zhou said: "No matter what, she faces up to reality. She never dodges or hides anything. She had a down-to-earth attitude about her situation. For migrant workers, it is difficult to gain a foothold in cities. The countryside is their home."

With Bamuyubumu never having received an education, the children are her hope for the future, Zhou said.

He added that every time he played with Bamuyubumu's children, they reacted "very quickly and intelligently", adding, "I think that in many cases, we must rely on the next generation to advance."

A junior high school in the north of Yuexi county is a prime example of the increased education opportunities for local children.

The number of students at Xinmin Middle School has risen from 873 in 2015 to 2,425 now, with the proportion of female students accounting for 51 percent, up from 15 percent six years ago.

However, education is just one aspect of the overall poverty reduction efforts.