The government and people of Lac Son commune are working together to help the poor.
Diversify media
Immediately after the implementation of Sub-project 2, Lac Son determined that communication must be one step ahead, because to achieve sustainable poverty alleviation, people must first know "where they are poor" and what changes are needed. Therefore, the public address system was regularly maintained; bulletin boards, community Zalo groups, and neighborhood meetings were utilized to update information on poverty reduction policies, health insurance benefits, housing support, vocational training, preferential loans, etc. Information reaching the right people, at the right time, and meeting the right needs – this is a crucial foundation for all subsequent changes.
Beyond mass media, Lac Son places special emphasis on direct communication. Officials from the Fatherland Front, Women's Union, Farmers' Association, and influential figures within the Muong community persistently visit each household and group to explain the multidimensional poverty standard, poverty alleviation criteria, and the risks of falling back into poverty. Through these intimate conversations, what many households previously only heard about has now become something they understand and act upon. Vocational training and technical workshops are held right in the gardens, fields, and livestock pens – the places where people can most easily learn. Following the principle of "hands-on guidance," officials provide instruction from seed selection to cultivation techniques, helping farmers confidently change their production methods. As a result, new ways of thinking about livelihoods, clean production, and market access are naturally and sustainably formed.
The effectiveness of the communication is clearly demonstrated in the change in behavior: Many households proactively approached the commune People's Committee to register for livelihood models, access preferential loans, receive vocational training, and participate in health insurance. Some families who were once hesitant to talk about escaping poverty are now boldly writing applications to be removed from the poverty list – a positive sign proving that the communication has reached the core: the people's will to improve their lives.
However, Comrade Bui Van Khanh - Chairman of the People's Committee of the commune - frankly acknowledged: Awareness among hamlets is not uniform, and some households are still hesitant to embrace change or have difficulty accessing information. The commune has expanded communication channels, increased dialogue with the people, and promoted the role of influential figures in the community. This flexibility has helped communication truly reach the places that need it most, creating an important foundation for subsequent poverty reduction models to succeed.
Disseminate the model, replicate best practices.
If communication plays a crucial role in raising awareness, then effective livelihood models are the most compelling evidence to convince people that they can absolutely escape poverty. One model that has made a strong impact is free-range chicken farming. When 87 poor and near-poor households received support in terms of breeding stock, coops, and technical assistance, many were still concerned, wondering, "Will raising chickens be profitable?" But after the first few batches of chickens, the results answered their question: The chickens grew quickly, the market was stable, and income was more consistent. These changes, though small, were significant, helping people gain confidence in the model and in themselves.
Policy-based credit has also become an important "lever." Over 2,330 loans with a total outstanding balance of over 81 billion VND have fueled hundreds of new beginnings: people opening grocery stores, planting forests, raising livestock, and providing services. From these initial steps, many households have escaped poverty sustainably.
In many hamlets, the spirit of community is strong. Those who know a trade teach those who don't; those who become better off help those who are less fortunate; those with good seeds readily share them with those in need. Along with activities like "Tet for the Poor," house repairs, and emergency assistance, Lac Son has created a warm embrace, ensuring that no one is left behind.
It's worth noting that poverty reduction is not only linked to the economy . People also have better access to social services: the rate of access to clean water is over 95%, participation in health insurance is 92%, and children receive full immunization...
When media reaches awareness and models reach people's lives, sustainable poverty reduction is no longer a distant goal, but a path opening up right before our eyes. Even more valuable is that Lac Son has found its own "key": connecting policies with the people through understanding; transforming support into motivation; and turning the changes of a few families into a transformation of the entire locality.
The story of poverty reduction in Lac Son commune shows that: With the right motivation and tools, people will know how to overcome their circumstances and build a better future.
Huong Giang
Source: https://baophutho.vn/chia-khoa-giam-ngheo-o-lac-son-243307.htm
