Story highlights CNN team is given rare access to a family in city of Nampo, North Korea's largest port

They meet a "child mother" -- she's already adopted seven orphans at the age of 20

She is herself an orphan, having been born during the great famine of the 1990s

Nampo City, North Korea (CNN) We're driven out of Pyongyang early in the morning towards the city of Nampo, North Korea's largest port.

Our government guides tell us we have a choice: We can drive on to see the famed West Sea Barrage, an 8-kilometer (4.9-mile) system of barrages and locks that keep seawater out of the lower reaches of the Taedonggang River -- a symbol of national pride -- and therefore a frequent stop on the itineraries of visiting tourists, dignitaries and journalists.

Or, our guides announce dramatically, we can take a left turn at the next crossroads and try to find a young lady who has become the talk of the district -- the "child mother." At the tender age of 20, she's already adopted seven orphans and cares for them as their mother.

It's a risk, the guides tell us, we have not contacted her, we do not know exactly where she lives or even if she's at home. They ask if we want to take the chance.

It's no contest. We turn off the highway. Our guides randomly stop two young passersby who just happen to know her exact address and agree to jump in the van and accompany us.

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