Single Mom Discovers a Chance for a Better Life

As we prepare for the start of the training for the Husky Energy Tailoring Skills for Program for Women, we are putting the spotlight on one of our participants.

Qunjie is 32 years old, and she lived in a quiet village in Zeku County, Qinghai Province. Life was tough for her. She missed school and got married young. She now faces the daunting task of raising two daughters as a single mother – a 10-year-old attending elementary school and a 2-year-old toddler. On top of these responsibilities, she also cares for her elderly mother and her brother, who is battling meningitis.

Qunjie During Her Interview

The family relies on a meager annual grassland subsidy of 4,000 yuan (USD 556), making them eligible for a modest national subsidy of around 10,000 yuan (USD 1,389). Their primary income came from harvesting Cordyceps during a brief season, bringing in roughly 10,000 yuan annually (USD 1,389). Cordyceps is a type of fungus that has gained popularity as a dietary supplement and herbal remedy in various parts of the world. However, Qunjie struggled to find stable employment outside of this season due to her lack of skills and education.

When the Husky Energy Tailoring Skills Program for Women class opened this year, Qunjie saw a chance for change and brought hope into Qunjie’s life. She eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn a new skill to break free from poverty. Qunjie dreams of mastering the craft of tailoring and using her newfound expertise to secure a stable income for her family.