STORY: Sichod Wangmo's happy life in China's Xizang after democratic reform
SHOOTING TIME: March 28, 2024
DATELINE: March 31, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:13
LOCATION: LHASA, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Sichod Wangmo's family
SOUNDBITE 1 (Tibetan): SICHOD WANGMO, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
SOUNDBITE 2 (Tibetan): SONAM NORDAR, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
SOUNDBITE 3 (Tibetan): SONAM NORDAR, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): SICHOD WANGMO, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang

STORYLINE:

SOUNDBITE 1 (Tibetan): SICHOD WANGMO, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
In the past (before 1959), people here barely had enough to eat. We lived in dire poverty while also having to help the serf owners with herding, rarely having a full stomach.
My name is Sichod Wangmo and I'm 85 years old now.

Sichod Wangmo used to be a serf in old Xizang

Born in 1939, she has witnessed the tremendous changes
that have taken place in Xizang over the past decades

SOUNDBITE 2 (Tibetan): SONAM NORDAR, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
I'm Sonam Nordar, and I'm a son of Sichod Wangmo. My grandmother died very early, and my mother told me that in the past (before 1959), when someone got sick, there was no way to treat the illness, as they couldn't afford hospital bills. The sick would then succumb to their illness helplessly. After my grandmother passed away from illness, my mother never knew the exact reason for her passing. But nowadays, living conditions are getting better and better. There are hospitals everywhere, and it's easy to buy medicine and receive treatment in the hospital. My mother told me that in 1959 (when the democratic reform took place), our family was allocated five yaks. From then on, our family's living conditions began to improve.

In March 1959, democratic reform swept through Xizang,
abolishing feudal serfdom and ushering in a new era of freedom

Now Sonam Nordar's family owns more than 50 yaks,
and his daughter has also completed university education

SOUNDBITE 3 (Tibetan): SONAM NORDAR, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
Nowadays, we have a very nice house, with a high standard of living. The quality of our life has improved significantly, with amenities like televisions and refrigerators readily available. Whatever we desire is within reach. Now I live with my mother, and my son has also become a father himself. During the recent Tibetan New Year, I bought plenty of festive goods, and our relatives gathered at our home to send their festive greetings to my mother. Life is becoming increasingly better and happier. My mother told me that she hopes for even brighter days ahead, and she's very happy about it.

SOUNDBITE 4 (Tibetan): SICHOD WANGMO, Resident in Damxung County, China's Xizang
I have 11 children, and now my family is a family of around 100 people, with four generations living under one roof. Now my life is very happy, and I always feel grateful. Life continues to improve day by day.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Lhasa, China.
(XHTV)