Zhuoma cleans one of the rooms in her hotel [China Daily]

A female entrepreneur from a Monba ethnic township in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has recently lead villagers to shake off poverty by developing a local tourist services.
Zhuoma, 34, and her family, previously earned a living by weaving bamboo which brought them only around 4,000 yuan a year.
They originally lived in a house with a stone and wood structure only 60 square meters in size, which was simple and crude.
"The house was all open plan. Even the kitchen and bedroom were linked together," she said.
In March 2014, officials started to construct Mama Ecological Civilized Model Village.
This was one of the three ecological civilized model villages created in the administrative area of Shannan City.
The original farmer and herdsmen's houses were developed, and over 15 projects including village roads, communication pipelines, tourist reception centers, township health centers and village committees were set up.
The living environment of residents was greatly improved.
The characteristic village highlights the local culture of the Monba people and allows them to live in safe and comfortable houses and live a pleasant, civilized life.
"We can use our unique resources, geography and other elements to develop eco-tourism which is environment-friendly with a high income," says Baima Yangjin, the head of the township.
In September 2015, Zhuoma opened her family hotel, setting an example to many others around her.
Her small, three-story building has much more space. The first floor is used for operating a teahouse and restaurant. The second floor and the third floor are used for a homestay with seven rooms, 13 beds, hot water and wi-fi.
"Sometimes the business is so good that the whole hotel is full of people so we can earn up to 1,050 yuan per day," Zhuoma said.
In order to adapt to the development of local tourism, Zhuoma's husband even learned to make traditional Monba-style wooden bowls.
These wooden bowls are sold in their hotel and can earn over 5,000 yuan each year for the family.
"Now we can earn about 100,000 yuan a year," Zhuoma said with a smile on her face.
For now, Zhuoma has become a shining example for others. She has met many other people, shared her experiences with them and led the villagers to shake off poverty.
In order to run her family hotel even better, in 2015 Zhuoma participated in a training class on Tibetan cuisine cooking techniques.
Now, tourists can enjoy authentic Tibetan food as well as the local cuisine of the Monba at her hotel.

A view of Mama Ecological Civilized Model Village [China Daily]

 Zhuoma's family hotel [China Daily] 

A wooden bowl made by Zhuoma's husband [China Daily]