Closer to Lankao: How people with disabilities shake off poverty

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02:15

Central China's Lankao announced its withdrawal from the list of poorest counties in 2017, after removing the "impoverished" label.

But the removal does not mean poverty relief efforts will fade away. In that regard, for instance, the county has recently opened a number of open working positions for people with disabilities.

Hope thanks to employment

Feng Zhongyou, a person with moderate disabilities himself, set up the e-commerce platform in order to offer local people with disabilities a chance to work.

Employees with disabilities work at the e-commerce platform in Lankao County, Henan Province, China, April 17, 2019. /CGTN Photo

"Some companies do not accept (hiring) people with disabilities because of their physical condition. So, the platform could give them hope," Feng told CGTN Digital.

"Even though some of the locals with disabilities could not join at once, they will understand that there is a chance to make a living and find meaning in life."

So far, about 20 employees are working for the platform both at the office and from home.

"With lower education levels, most people with disabilities in my county lack certain skills to work, thus the platform could make them feel dependable," Feng added.

Zhang Hainan, the co-founder of the e-commerce platform, is painting using his mouth in Lankao County, Henan Province, China, April 17, 2019. /CGTN Photo

Feng said he wants to pass the positive energy to the world, while he picked up a belt with inspiring quotes on it that his employees have made.

"A little body often harbors a great soul," someone had written on it.

Blooming despite the snow

As Feng's partner and co-founder of the platform, Zhang Hainan has a fondness for traditional Chinese ink painting.

Creation by Zhang Hainan, co-founder of the e-commence platform that employs people with disabilities in Lankao County, Henan Province, China, April 17, 2019. /CGTN Photo

Though he lost both arms due to an electric shock, Zhang can draw using his mouth.

Inspired by the beauty of plum blossoms in the snow, Zhang believed that a variety of hardships have built his strong character.

He said the platform allows people to work online without the hassle of commuting and hopes people with disabilities could go out to do something in line with their abilities. "They can't really keep up with the world by staying at home," he said.

Working at the factory

Besides working online, apparel manufacturing is also a convenient opportunity for local people with disabilities.

01:35

Li Shumei started selling clothes from using a donkey pull-cart. Now she is the boss of an apparel manufacturing factory of hundred employees in Lankao County.

Speaking of the recruitment and employment management, she said both people with disabilities and people living in poverty get priority in applying to her factory as 10 percent of current employees are locals with disabilities.

Answered why she paid more attention to the applicants with disabilities, Li said her younger sister's friend, Chen Pingxia, also a manager at the factory, has disabilities.

Broken in body, firm in spirit

Chen, who spent over 20 years learning and studying pattern design, has always dreamed of opening a garment manufacturing factory to share her wisdom with people who have disabilities.

Chen Pingxia, manager of the garment manufacturing factory, talks with a worker in Lankao County, Henan Province, China, April 17, 2019. /CGTN Photo

"We're broken in body, but I hope people with disabilities could be firm in spirit. Don't mind about what others think. Just be yourself," Chen said, "We're as good as everyone else especially in garment processing.

"As long as you can use your hands, you can do it without any doubts," Chen said, adding that this is the reason why she devotes to the career, to allow people who have disabilities to earn a living and improve their lives.

According to the local Federation of People with Disabilities, 5,657 people are registered in the county for having disabilities, of which 1,224 have been lifted out of poverty.

(Cover: Zhang Hainan, co-founder of the e-commerce platform and his wife show his painting in Lankao County, Henan Province, China, April 17, 2019. /CGTN Photo)