Intergenerational connection

Established in 2018, the Intergenerational Self-Help Club of Man Duong village, Mai Sao commune, Chi Lang district, is not only a place to connect generations but also a support system for the elderly and disadvantaged households in their journey to improve their quality of life.

Members of the Intergenerational Self-Help Club of Man Duong village (Mai Sao commune, Chi Lang district) visit the rabbit farming model of Ms. Vi Thi Voi.

In 2022, Ms. Vi Thi Voi (born in 1965) received a 10 million VND low-interest loan from the Intergenerational Self-Help Club of Man Duong village to invest in economic development. Combined with other preferential credit channels, she invested in a rabbit farming model. Initially starting with 150 mother rabbits, she has now expanded to nearly 1,000, selling six batches per month, each batch consisting of 30 to 70 rabbits, bringing in an average income of approximately 20 million VND per month.

Sharing her story with us, Mrs. Voi confided: "At first, I was hesitant because I had never raised rabbits before. But with the enthusiastic encouragement of the club members and the technical assistance I received, I boldly decided to give it a try. Rabbits are easy to raise and have a quick return on investment. Now my family's finances have improved significantly."

Currently, the club's operating fund is approximately 61 million VND, raised from contributions by members, benefactors, and revolving interest. From 2018 to the present, the club has provided loans to nearly 30 members at low interest rates. Beyond lending, the club's management board has guided production development tailored to the specific conditions of each household. Each member who receives capital receives technical training and is closely monitored to provide initial support.

In addition, the club also organizes life skills training, healthcare, and visits members when they are sick. Ms. Vi Thi Binh, the club's chairperson, said: "From the very beginning, the club's management board has clearly defined its operating principles: promoting the role of the elderly, fostering community cohesion, supporting each other to overcome difficulties, and building a healthy cultural life. With 62 members of various ages, of which over 60% are over 55 years old, the club holds regular monthly meetings focusing on six areas: healthcare, economic development, caring for the spiritual well-being of members, protecting members' rights, community activities, and building a strong organization."

Notably, the Club's Steering Committee has coordinated with the commune's health station to organize medical examinations and health consultations for 100% of the Club's members. In particular, from 2018 to the present, the Club has arranged for nearly 700 members to have their eyes examined at the DND International Eye Institute in Bac Giang province.

Another highlight of the Man Duong Village Intergenerational Self-Help Club is its ability to foster community cohesion through cultural, sports , and charitable activities. From organizing cultural and sports exchanges to helping each other with labor during the harvest season, repairing village roads after storms and floods, and building bridges for the community, the club has fostered a strong spirit of solidarity and sharing within the village. Since its establishment, the club has coordinated and organized 9 cultural and sports exchanges and volleyball tournaments, attracting over 100 participants; contributed over 1,000 man-hours of labor and over 30 million VND to concrete village roads and build bridges over streams; and contributed over 100 man-hours of labor and over 15 million VND to repair concrete roads in the village damaged by landslides caused by Typhoon Yagi.

Ms. Hoang Thi Toan, Chairwoman of the Elderly Association of Chi Lang District, assessed: The Intergenerational Self-Help Club in Man Duong village is one of the most well-organized, creative, and effective clubs in the district. The club's activities have become a highlight in the sustainable community building movement, contributing significantly to the construction of new rural areas, improving the lives of the elderly, and serving as a nucleus for community cohesion in the village.

With outstanding achievements, the Man Duong Village Intergenerational Self-Help Club has been awarded a certificate of merit by the Provincial Association of Elderly People. In particular, in May 2025, the club was honored to receive a certificate of merit from the Central Association of Elderly People of Vietnam for "outstanding achievements in implementing the Project to replicate the model of Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs in the period up to 2025 according to Decision No. 1336/QD-TTg dated August 31, 2020 of the Prime Minister".

Source: https://baolangson.vn/gan-ket-yeu-thuong-lan-toa-sinh-ke-5048872.html