On October 17, 2023, in Qinghai, China, the local government has been actively engaging with its community. This initiative has led to heartwarming stories of helping elderly residents fulfill lifelong dreams and ensuring children receive necessary medical care.
One standout story comes from Ximao, an elderly man from Nimalong Village. He shared with reporters his unforgettable trip to Beijing, where he visited iconic sites such as Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. “I have no regrets now,” he expressed with a smile.
In December 2023, Maqin County launched a comprehensive outreach initiative named “Walking Thousands of Mountains and Waters, Visiting Thousands of Families.” Over 900 officials were dispatched to connect with the local communities, engaging in friendly conversations with residents to identify and address their concerns.
With the help of local official Suonangji, Ximao was able to realize a wish he made on his 80th birthday: to witness the flag-raising ceremony at Tiananmen Square and to walk along the Great Wall. After learning about Ximao’s dream, Suonangji went the extra mile to prepare a travel plan, researching train and flight schedules, itineraries, and ticket prices before presenting him with the best options.
Accompanied by family members, Ximao embarked on a six-day journey to Beijing. During the interview, he proudly revealed souvenirs he brought back, ordinary boxes of snowflake cream, which held special meaning for him as a symbol of his fulfilled wish. Reflecting on his experience, Ximao said, “We arrived early at Tiananmen Square for the flag-raising. In that moment, I felt so fortunate to be living in such a great era.”
Another poignant story involves Zhashi Dongzhi, a resident from the Huanghe South Community in Dazhou Town. His daughter, Gama Tso, suffers from congenital heart disease, which had gone untreated for years due to the family’s financial difficulties. This ongoing struggle weighed heavily on Zhashi’s mind.
In the summer of 2024, a free congenital heart disease screening event came to Maqin County. Dong Hui, the director of the Economic Development Service Center in Dazhou Town, identified Gama Tso during the screening process. Initially, Zhashi did not take the necessary steps to register his daughter for treatment, prompting Dong Hui to reach out personally to understand his concerns.
Zhashi eventually opened up about his worries: “Our financial situation is tough, and even if we had the money, going to Shanghai for treatment is daunting. Everything from transportation to hospital procedures feels overwhelming.” Understanding his hesitations, Dong Hui communicated these concerns to the relevant authorities. As a result, local government and community leaders organized support, sending officials to accompany families needing treatment to Shanghai and ensuring their care.
Thanks to this initiative, Gama Tso underwent successful heart surgery in September 2024, and she returned to school just a week after her hospitalization. Zhashi’s burden lifted, he said, “For years, my child’s health felt like an enormous weight on my shoulders. Now she is lively and healthy, and I am profoundly grateful for the support from community workers and the local government.”
To date, Maqin County officials have assisted with over 700 issues reported by residents while distributing over 160,000 yuan in aid and 1,900 care packages, positively impacting more than 11,000 individuals in the community.
