Four areas where lives have been improved

1. Yanchi, Ningxia Hui autonomous region

Yanchi, a county known for its Tan sheep, a breed noted for its tasty meat and the long staple length of its wool, is lifting many herders out of poverty through a microfinance program called the Tan Sheep Bank. Using sheep as collateral, the bank offers loans to poor farmers looking to expand their operations. The interest rate is nearly zero - a boon for impoverished farmers with limited means of securing development funding. Participants are also eligible for a monthly interest payment of about 3 yuan for each sheep.