The village's 116 certified disabled farmers have priority in applying to those posts, which can bring monthly pay of 400 yuan ($61).

Three years later, Yang upgraded the effort to target those with "severe disabilities" – farmers with acute intellectual, mental or physical disabilities who cannot work such jobs.

He created the care center with financial support from the provincial disabled persons' federation.

In addition to disabled farmers, the nursery also encouraged capable residents to help raise pigs, fish and grow vegetables.

The jobs can bring in monthly pay from 800 to 1,500 yuan, helping shore up their family income and enable them to shake off poverty labels.

Yang, 62, said, "As long as I am here, I will not sit by leaving disabled farmers unattended to."

With congenital dwarfism, Yao Jinhua, 58, moved in the nursery four years ago.

"I used to entirely rely on State benefits," she said, adding now she leads a more dignified life, earning about 1,300 yuan a month by cooking and taking care of one disabled senior at the facility.

The village's success has morphed into a province-wide endeavor, drawing more financial resources.

According to the provincial disabled persons' federation, Guizhou has six rehabilitation centers and 20 such care centers that are operational, with scores more to come.

Che Weiwei contributed to this story.