Help each other stabilize life

At the Conference to honor typical and advanced women in implementing the patriotic emulation movement for the period 2020-2025, the Women's Union of Truong Long Tay commune, Can Tho city was honored to receive a certificate of merit from the Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho city. Over the past 5 years, with its dynamism and creativity, the Women's Union of the commune has implemented many practical activities to support members and women in economic development, stabilizing their lives, and building prosperous and happy families.

The craft of weaving water hyacinth provides a stable income for the members and women of Truong Thuan hamlet, Truong Long Tay commune.

The water hyacinth weaving group in Truong Thuan hamlet, established in September 2024, is one of the effective economic models in the locality. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, Head of the Women's Association of Truong Thuan hamlet and also the leader of the water hyacinth weaving group, said: “In 2023, I learned the craft of weaving water hyacinth and invited women near my house to do the weaving for me. Recognizing that the work was both easy and utilized their free time, helping women earn extra income, the Women's Association of the hamlet mobilized the establishment of the water hyacinth weaving group. The group currently has 11 members, and the Kim Ngan Cooperative provides the raw materials and purchases the finished products on-site.”

Currently, members of the water hyacinth weaving group accept orders for two main products: round mats and water hyacinth basket trays in various sizes. The processing price ranges from 9,000 to 13,000 VND per product. Besides the raw materials supplied by the Kim Ngan Cooperative, members can also proactively cut and dry water hyacinth to use as raw material, generating additional income beyond the processing fees.

Ms. Doan Thi Men from Truong Thuan hamlet shared: “In the early days of learning to weave water hyacinth mats, I could only make one mat a day. Now that I'm used to it, I can finish one mat in just 40 minutes. On average, I can weave 15-16 mats a day, earning 2-3 million VND per month.”

Ms. Le Ngoc Huyen, residing in Truong Thuan hamlet, recently joined the water hyacinth weaving group about two months ago. Ms. Huyen shared: “Previously, I stayed home doing housework. Seeing that the women near my house earned a stable income from weaving water hyacinth, I took advantage of my free time to learn the craft and started doing piecework. Now, I can weave 8-9 mats a day while still being able to provide well for my family.”

Besides the water hyacinth weaving group in Truong Thuan hamlet, the Women's Union of Truong Long Tay commune maintains many effective economic models, such as: a cooperative for growing clean vegetables; a cooperative for growing straw mushrooms in greenhouses; raising wild pigs and turtles, etc. According to Ms. Pham Thi Ngoan, President of the Women's Union of Truong Long Tay commune, in recent years, the Women's Union of the commune has always paid attention to supporting women in developing their economy. By reviewing the production development needs of its members, the Union has developed appropriate support plans and solutions. The Union creates favorable conditions for women to start businesses; provides loan support; and coordinates the organization of training courses and technology transfer in farming and animal husbandry... Currently, the Women's Union of the commune maintains the operation of 4 capital pooling groups with 85 members participating; and 16 savings and loan groups of the Social Policy Bank, helping over 715 members borrow capital to develop their family economy, with a total outstanding loan of over 30 billion VND.

In addition, the Women's Union of the commune focuses on implementing social welfare work. Over the past 5 years, the Women's Union has maintained the "Godmother" program, supporting and raising 2 orphaned children; implemented the "Accompanying Children to School" model and the "Millions of Gifts Sharing Love" program, mobilizing donations of nearly 60 scholarships and more than 1,380 gifts for children in difficult circumstances... The Women's Union of the commune pays attention to organizing widespread and practical emulation movements, mobilizing all strata of women to actively participate. Outstanding among these are the movements "Women actively studying, working creatively, and building happy families"; and the campaign to build families with 5 no's, 3 clean's, and 5 yes's, 4 clean's... which the Women's Union of the commune has implemented in 100% of its branches and groups through various appropriate forms.

Ms. Pham Thi Ngoan, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Truong Long Tay commune, informed: “After the merger, the Women's Union of the commune currently manages 36 branches and groups of women's associations, with 2,734 members. The Women's Union of the commune will continue to innovate the content and methods of its activities; improve and expand the types of gatherings and attract members; implement practical activities, especially leveraging the advantages of social media and applying information technology in connecting and helping members develop their economy, stabilize their lives, and build warm, happy families.”

Text and photos: HONG VAN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/giup-nhau-on-dinh-cuoc-song-a191093.html