Pingnan works to help mothers in poverty

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2014-04-17

The Pingnan Family Planning Association plans to raise 1.87 million yuan ($30.07 million)in 2014 to help 187 poor mothers out of poverty, Fujian Daily reported on April 15.

The fund aims to help poor mothers with a single child to get rid of poverty and become better off. Unlike some other funds, this one lends money rather than giving it away to beneficiaries. The beneficiaries can use the money from the fund for a year without having to pay interest.

It is distributed at the beginning of every year and taken back at the end of the same year. In order to recover funds in time so it can help more poor mothers, the authority sends a billing notice to inform the beneficiary ahead of time. Thus she can prepare for repayment ahead of the deadline.

In 2013, Pingnan raised 1.37 million yuan to help 156 poor mothers. A total of 580 people, most of whom are family members of the beneficiaries, were better off thanks to the fund.

Edited by Wang Yifei and Brian Anthony Salter