Kurbanhan Matrozi warms herself by a fire at the home of a member of the "Desert Watcher" tourism cooperation in Darya Boyi Township, Yutian County of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Nov. 13, 2019. Darya Boyi Township is at the heart of the Taklimakan desert. People here live in poor conditions due to the natural environment. However, the place has become a hot destination in recent years with adventurous tourism getting popular. The 24-year-old Kurbanhan Matrozi, who is born in the township, is the first college student of her hometown. She gave up her job in the city and returned here to develop local tourism with villagers to improve their lives. In October, She opened a tourism cooperation called "Desert Watcher" and attracted 11 poor families to join in. In the cooperation, Kurbanhan Matrozi's responsibility is to train the members, contact with customers and arrange their accommodation, like a CEO of a company. In one month, the cooperation has received over 1,000 visitors and made a revenue of 200,000 yuan (about 28,444 U.S. dollars). In addition, the mutton purchases of the cooperation have promoted the development of local sheep breeding cooperation. Kurbanhan Matrozi said her will is to let more people know about her hometown and lead people of her hometown to live a better life. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)
