As a centenarian in Tibet autonomous region, Sonam Drolma, 109, has witnessed many changes in the Roof of the World. Sonam began to work for a serf-owner when she was 15 years old. As a serf, she went through trials and tribulations for nearly a half century. After democratic reform in Tibet in 1959, she was freed from feudal serfdom. Sonam went on to own land, a house and cattle and she became her own master. Since reform and opening-up, Sonam's daughter Tsering Zompa has become the backbone of the family and Tsering has strived to help the whole family lead a comfortable life. Nowadays, Sonam's family has nearly 100,000 yuan ($14.134) of annual income and owns a comfortable and large new house.