Police officers of the Siziwang Border Management Brigade present a bouquet to Duguimaa, on May 8, in celebration of the upcoming Mother's Day on May 9. [Photo/xuexi.cn]

Police officers of the Siziwang Border Management Brigade in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region visited Duguimaa, on May 8, a day ahead of Mother's Day.

Duguimaa recalled her experiences with police officers over the years, and said that in the future, she would do her best to continue to play the active role of a "non-staff instructor". 

Police officers sing a birthday song with Duguimaa, May 8. [Photo/xuexi.cn]

Duguimaa, a herdswoman born and raised on the grasslands in Siziwang Banner of Inner Mongolia, became a mother at the age of 19 when she adopted 28 orphans from Shanghai in the early 1960s.

To foster the orphans, Duguimaa, then unmarried, taught herself to become an obstetrician and helped young mothers deliver babies when there was little medical equipment available at that time.

Duguimaa later became an "instructor" at the Siziwang Border Management Brigade, inspiring the police officers with her life experiences, with many of the officers commenting that she treats them like her own children.  

Now, aged 79, Duguimaa has become a household name because of her incredible story of raising the orphans. She has even won the title of "grassland mother".

In 2019, which marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China presented the Medal of the Republic and national titles of honor for the first time to honor exemplary figures who have made outstanding contributions to the development of the country.

Duguimaa, a member of the Communist Party of China since 1974, was awarded the title of "People's Role Model".