China Poverty Alleviation: Toy business in Shaanxi province helps left-behind women

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Plush toys are often for kids, but for a group of women in one county in Shanxi province, they are the life line that's helping them out of poverty. Reporter Wang Yizhe has more.

26-year-old Ye Lin works in Lueyang County Jin Hong Teng Da Toys Manufactory. She began the job just two months ago after completing her training. For her, this is the first job that she's had that brings her family a stable income.

YE LIN, EMPLOYEE JIN HONG TENG DA TOYS MANUFACTORY "I earn 2,000 yuan a month which could cover the rent and living expenses, so my husband's salary can be saved."

The factory Ye works for is located in Jieguanting Town, Lueyang County where her son Chengcheng attends kindergarten. In order to look after her son, she moved from another town and rents a room here with 150 yuan per month. For her family of seven with only 4,000 yuan in disposable income every month, or about 580 US dollars, her job helps to bring about a better life.

YE LIN, EMPLOYEE JIN HONG TENG DA TOYS MANUFACTORY "Expenses were not that much before my son began kindergarten, but the money was not enough after that. I earned less working nearby and my son is too young, so I don't want to be too far away from him. He needs care."

WANG YIZHE LUEYANG, SHAANXI PROVINCE "For more women like Ye Lin, a job in this Community Factory has a significant meaning to their lives. But the benefit is not only their own, this labor-intensive enterprise wouldn't be making a profit without them."

Li Youdong set up the factory in November 2018. It employs people nearby, especially those women who would be otherwise out of work.

LI YOUDONG, OWNER JIN HONG TENG DA TOYS MANUFACTORY "Our factory covers about 2000 square meters, which is established with the help of the local government. In the earlier stages, we employed 200 people."

Since 2016, a total of 10 community factories have been put into operation, which employ more than 600 people. More than 200 of them are still considered to be living in poverty, and around 500 of them are women. But this model still faces challenges.

WANG JIANGUO, DEPUTY SECRETARY PARTY COMMITTEE, JIEGUANTING TOWN, LUEYANG COUNTY "Recruitment has met some problems. First, some women have concerns about working outside the home. Second, some men that work outside think that women's only responsibility is to look after the families and the elders. The next step for us is to visit their homes to promote this policy."

Now Ye Lin can even work on the weekends because the child-care center in the factory can take care of her son. Thanks to the factory, she says she is expecting a brighter future for her family. Wang Yizhe, CGTN, Lueyang, Shaanxi Province.