Apperceive Gaixin Village

Last October, I came to Gaixin Village . It was a quiet village. Trees on the hills around it looked faint for the lack of water since last winter. Straws were burnt after the harvest, and some pieces of wasteland were burnt out. It made the dry winter even lower-spirited.

Since HPI implemented projects in such a small village, changes have taken place…

Because of the coming of HPI, the government started to pay more attention to Gaixin village. As the project processed, the program of thatched house reconstruction had been implemented. 13 households with poor house condition moved near to the location of the village committee and it made Gaixin village vigorous. Pig-pens made of straws disappeared. Some project households installed automatic water-drinking equipments and it ensured pigs to drink water anytime throughout the day. The device also cut the cost and shortened time of the project management. It also alleviated the burden of women (Women did more in animal husbandry than men in this community).

With the project, Panzhihua and other 4 groups of the village ended the history of no electricity power. Gaixin has its own public toilet and people have begun to use the toilet. The mud village road has been a memory to Gaixin people. As a joint area between Donghui Township and Nuofu Township , Gaixin has vehicles run in it, which improves the communication between the village and the outside world. People living near the road start some business for vehicles and drivers.

“The new born calf will grow up and it can be sold for some money”---said by a project farmer. The project pays attention to animal management training. With the training, farmers begin to learn how to sterilize pig-pens and how to prevent animal diseases. Some project farmers also learn to use equipments for prevention and immunization. Some households planted grass for animals (choosing a kind of grass named Huangzhu which has high nutrition). Farmers benefited from the project and their hard work. Cows gave birth to calves and they grew up healthily and it brought hope to Gaixin people.

Women used to be shy when they were talking with strangers don't blush anymore. They are willing to talk more about their daily lives. Farmers feel more confident about the sustainable development. “Last year (before Sep of 2005), I had no cattle and I have to borrow one. But in the farming time, others wouldn't lend me. When I can borrow one, the farming time passed. But now I can use it anytime I wish”, a farmer told me.

I felt very gratified by hearing these words. Gaixin has changed gradually and it has made people more confident. Farmers have felt a new era stepping forward.

The sun was down to the west and I took a motorcycle to leave for the county. Scenes of my first time to Gaixin appeared in my mind: the muddy village road, the hazy light of candles in the dark evening, climbing mountains for self relief, small and shabby thatched shelters…