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| Commune officials and members of the Truong clan's executive board in Phuoc Loc village visited the family of Mrs. Truong Thi Bon. |
Motivation for the poor to rise above their circumstances.
Around 11 a.m., upon seeing relatives and local officials visiting, Mrs. Truong Thi Bon from Phuoc Loc village hurried to the small convenience store next to her house to buy a few bottles of soft drinks. When people tried to stop her, fearing she would spend too much, she smiled kindly and said, "Now that my family's life is better, these drinks are a token of our gratitude."
Sitting and chatting, Mrs. Bon said that life used to be difficult, especially since her husband passed away. But thanks to the care of the local government, the kindness of the neighbors, and the help of her relatives, she has found the motivation to rise above her circumstances. The three breeding cows provided through the livelihood model have now grown and become valuable assets for her family. Besides the pastures near her house, people in the neighborhood still send her banana trees and grass to feed the cows. Mrs. Bon raises the cows while also helping her daughter take care of her grandchildren. Although life cannot be called prosperous, it is more stable than before. "My family has escaped poverty. The best thing is that we always have relatives and neighbors encouraging us and providing support," Mrs. Bon said, her eyes shining with hope.
In Chan May commune, Lang Co district, such stories are no longer rare. There, the bonds of kinship and community become a source of support, empowering the disadvantaged to continue on their path. Mr. Truong Van Thanh, a member of the Truong clan's executive board in Phuoc Loc village and the village head, said that in recent years, the Party committee, government, Fatherland Front, and other organizations have implemented many sustainable poverty reduction programs tailored to each locality. One of the highlights of this is the movement: "Families, villages, and hamlets without poor households."
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| Thanks to the banana trees given to her by relatives and neighbors, Mrs. Bon has an additional source of feed for her cows. |
This movement spread rapidly because it resonated with the beautiful cultural values of the Vietnamese people: unity, mutual support, and solidarity. When families joined forces to organize this initiative, those in difficult circumstances not only received material support but also moral encouragement, insights into business opportunities, and empathy and understanding.
The Truong family in Phuoc Loc village is a prime example. According to Mr. Thanh, the Truong family in Phuoc Loc village is one of the four oldest families in the former Loc Tien commune (now Chan May commune - Lang Co district). Currently, there are more than 350 households living in the commune, of which about 200 reside in Phuoc Loc village. For many years, the Truong family has clearly identified that the first path to sustainable poverty alleviation is education.
In 1998, the Truong Family Scholarship Fund was established. Descendants near and far contributed to the fund, regularly rewarding outstanding students and those who passed university entrance exams, encouraging them to continue their education. Although the support wasn't substantial, it was filled with pride and hope, helping many generations of family members receive a good education and secure stable careers. Many families who were previously poor have now risen to a comfortable standard of living, building more spacious homes and creating a foundation for future generations to continue their education.
What is admirable is that when they achieve success, they return to their hometown. Small contributions to the scholarship fund, visits to the elderly and infirm, quiet gifts sent to poor households – all connect to form a circle of love within the family. "Thanks to the collective efforts of the family, the number of poor households has decreased rapidly," Mr. Thanh shared. In 2023, Phuoc Loc village had 19 poor households, of which 7 were descendants of the Truong family. By 2024, the number of poor households in the entire village had decreased to only 11, of which 4 were still from the Truong family. To date, most descendants of the Truong family have stable lives, many households have escaped poverty sustainably, and their children receive a better education.
Not only the Truong family, but many other clans in Chan May commune, Lang Co district, also consistently connect resources, becoming a support system for people to rise out of poverty. Mr. Duong Quang Diet, head of the Duong clan in Trung Kien village, said that the clan has a specific plan, assigning each branch and faction to be responsible for disadvantaged families, regularly visiting, supporting, and resolving difficulties. The Duong clan's viewpoint is very clear: "Helping within the clan is important, but it doesn't stop there; it must also extend to the villages and hamlets."
To date, only one or two households in the clan remain poor or near-poor. Whenever they hear of someone in need or a lonely elderly person, the clan mobilizes to lend a helping hand. These simple, unassuming actions create the enduring strength of the Chan May - Lang Co community.
From poverty reduction to creating happiness
According to statistics, by the end of 2025, Chan May commune - Lang Co district will have 108 poor households with 209 people, accounting for 0.9%; and 88 near-poor households with 247 people, accounting for 0.74%. These figures represent a long and arduous journey of effort from the local government, each organization, village, hamlet, and family clan.
The poverty rate has exceeded the target set at the beginning of the year, but for the commune leaders and people in the villages and clans, that is not the final goal. What worries them more is how to help people escape poverty sustainably, prevent them from falling back into poverty, and have a more prosperous and happy life.
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| Thanks to the provision of breeding cattle and the support of the local community and village, Ms. Le Thi Van (Phu Gia village) has had the opportunity to improve her life. |
Mr. Tran Sang, Secretary of the Phu Gia Village Party Branch, shared that in the locality, the involvement is not limited to the commune government but extends to each party branch and mass organization. Each poor and near-poor household is assigned to be monitored, regularly visited, encouraged, and their real needs are understood in order to provide appropriate support. Those in special circumstances are also connected with businesses and philanthropists in the area for timely assistance. “We also directly approach businesses to solicit support. Based on real-life stories, dedication, and legitimate desires, businesses have happily provided support,” Mr. Sang said.
Thanks to the right and effective support, in just a short time, the number of poor households in Phu Gia village decreased from 4 to 2 in 2025, and the number of near-poor households decreased from 5 to 3. What is valuable is that behind these numbers are the smiles of the people who now have capital for livestock farming, stable livelihoods, and opportunities for work suitable to their abilities.
According to Mr. Tran Van Minh Quan, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Committee of Chan May commune, Lang Co district, sustainable poverty reduction must be viewed as a holistic process. It is a combination of state policies and the self-improvement efforts of the people; of central and local resources and community strength; and of immediate livelihood support and the fostering of long-term determination. Therefore, in addition to economic development models, the commune places special emphasis on the spiritual element: ensuring that people do not become dependent or reliant on others; and that each person sees themselves as the subject of the journey out of poverty. Effective business models are replicated, and examples of people overcoming adversity are disseminated, creating a common motivation for the community.
Community spirit and neighborly love, more than ever, have become a bridge connecting people. Families have become extended arms, spreading love. There, those in need are not only supported with rice and livestock, but also uplifted by the belief: "We will not be left behind."
That is also the goal that the leaders of Chan May commune, Lang Co district are striving for: "With the highest determination, from the commune to the villages, all organizations and clans will work together to move from poverty reduction to creating happiness for the people."
Source: https://huengaynay.vn/doi-song/diem-tua-tu-dong-ho-thon-xom-161694.html
