FAMILY BACKGROUND:

Her father died in a coalmine accident in March 2000. The little girl was born in August in the same year. Her mother ran away according to the grandparents. (This is a common phenomena in China's countryside to run away if the husband dies)

Her grandparents were both dead ( father's side). One uncle was still living and kept her ID book. But while her father was still alive her uncle was very upset with him so he was not willing to help her. This old couple had two daughters but they were both married and once in a while they would give them some money to live on.