Planting their way to prosperity

Miao village turns to trees to lift households out of poverty, and opens up education for all

Nestled in the mountains stretching across the border between the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Guizhou province, Wuying, a village with a large population of the Miao ethnic group, has witnessed dramatic change over the past decade.

Inhabited by around 700 residents living in 145 households, the once impoverished village has undergone a quiet transformation in terms of socioeconomic reforms and environmental protection. It has raised all its poor households above the official abject poverty line, which is defined in China as a per capita income of 2,300 yuan ($321) a year. As livelihoods have improved, the village has progressed in many other fields, including education, waste management and women’s empowerment.

To celebrate the 46th Tree Planting Day, which fell on Tuesday, local officials led a treeplanting activity with the participation of villagers. Since implementing a 10-year tree program to improve the environment six years ago, thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted.

Now, as these trees start bearing fruit, the village’s living environment is improving, laying the groundwork for the development of ecotourism.

Wuying means “beautiful brides” in the Miao language. In the past, girls born in the village had to work on their family farms instead of going to school because the community used to favor boys. Things have changed. In March 2020, the local government launched night school programs to teach women Mandarin.

For 48-yearold Liang Zuying, who is in charge of local women’s federation, the women in Wuying have greater access to education than she had when she was a child.

As the eldest daughter in her family, Liang started helping out with chores and farm work when she was 7, an age at which the boys went to school. Her dreams of education came true at night school in 2020.

“The students have dreamed about schooling for decades,” says Pan Muzhi, a teacher at the night school. “Even after a long and exhausting workday, they are eager to be here.”

The students have dreamed about schooling for decades, Even after a long and exhausting work day, they are eager to be here.”

Pan Muzhi, teacher at a night school

Right: Tree planting has become a tradition in Wuying village. As the trees start to bear fruit, the village’s living environment continues to improve, laying the groundwork for the development of ecotourism.*

Right: Since implementing a 10-year tree-planting program, to enhance the environment, thousands of peach, plum, pear and other fruit trees have been planted.

Left: Liang Zuying, head of the local women’s federation, removes weeds to lay the groundwork for planting trees.

Middle: Girls make sure saplings are cared for.

Right: Villagers have to mind their footing on their way to plant trees.

Left: Wu Meifu (left) takes her daughter Liang Zhizhen to plant trees.

Left: Saplings are distributed to villagers for this year’s tree-planting.

With saplings on their shoulders, villagers climb a steep hill to plant trees in Wuying, a village with a large population of the Miao ethnic group, which nestles snugly between the towering mountains stretching across the border between the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region and Guizhou province.