Cao Fahui lives in Tengchong, a village in Yunnan province. It is on the border of China and Myanmar, poor and remote, and is home mainly to Lisu people, an ethnic minority group.

Cao's parents, who make their living growing corn and vegetables, have both been in poor health recently.

The family stays in a house built of bamboo strips, which cannot take much rain or wind, and because it is dark and gloomy, Cao often has to do her homework in the yard. Yet she is still the best student in her class, with excellent grades.