A two-story house in Dianjiao Village, Zhaxigang Town of Ga’er County, Ali Prefecture in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhuanet]

A two-story house equipped with all kinds of household appliances is where Cama Ciren, a 72-year-old Tibetan and his wife live.

This is Dianjiao village, where they have lived for 34 years, in Zhaxigang Town of Ga’er County, Ali Prefecture in southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

“The village was actually isolated from the outside world in the 1980s and 1990s. There were only two or three households,” he recalled.

“Without a tent, we built a rock wall to shelter us from the wind. All of our clothes were scrabbled by hands,” he added.

Things have changed over the years. By 2012, Dianjiao was already a well-off village where each family lived in new house and a newly-built road connected the village with the outside world.

Cama Ciren (1st L), his wife (2nd R) and his younger sister are in their living room. [Photo/Xinhuanet]

At their age, Cama Ciren and his wife are not supposed to labor for a living. But they lead a comfortable life owing to the government subsidy policy.

“The subsidies we receive each year exceed 20,000 yuan,” his wife said, adding that they also enjoy full medical reimbursement, which they could not even imagine before.

Speaking of children’s education, Cama said that there are three college graduates in the village, his daughter being one of them.

“She landed a job immediately after graduation,” he said.

Today, none of the children at school-age in Dianjiao village drops out of school. Their food, accommodation, and tuition fees are all covered by the government.

“A happier life awaits us in the future,” he said.