Supporting women to rise up.

Local women's unions have implemented many practical models to support members in developing their economy and stabilizing their lives.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lanh (right) - Head of the Women's Association of Su Nam Hamlet, Hon Dat Commune, visits and encourages Ms. Tran Thi Dung. Photo: MINI

With two children of school age and no land for farming, the family of Ms. Tran Thi Dung, residing in Su Nam hamlet, Hon Dat commune, faces many difficulties. Her husband works installing ceiling panels and repairing electrical and plumbing systems. Ms. Dung brews rượu (rice wine) and raises pigs to supplement their income and cover living expenses. However, livestock farming always carries many risks, and market prices are volatile, making the family's economic situation unstable.

Living on National Highway 80, near the busy Tri Ton market, Ms. Dung planned to open a restaurant selling rice and noodles to improve her income, but faced the challenge of insufficient initial capital. In 2019, she participated in a revolving fund model of the Women's Association of Su Nam hamlet and received approximately 7 million VND in support. With this money, she bought cabinets, tables, chairs, and cooking utensils to open a small restaurant, gradually stabilizing her life. “When I first opened the restaurant, I was very worried because I had little capital and limited experience. But the women in the association encouraged and helped me, so I persevered. Initially, I sold few dishes and didn't make much profit, but gradually I gained regular customers and the business became more stable,” Ms. Dung shared. Currently, Ms. Dung's restaurant is open from morning to noon, earning a profit of 500,000 - 600,000 VND. Thanks to this stable income, she can cover living expenses, provide for her children's education, and her family's life is gradually improving.

The Women's Association of Su Nam Hamlet, Hon Dat Commune, has 430 members. Currently, the association has no poor or near-poor households among its female members, with only 3 households facing difficult circumstances. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lanh, Head of the Women's Association of Su Nam Hamlet, said: "In the past, the association has effectively implemented many models to support members in developing their family economies, such as revolving capital, job placement, and vocational training. At the same time, we have intensified efforts to help members improve their lives and achieve stability."

Currently, the Women's Association of Su Nam Hamlet has 3 revolving fund groups with 81 members participating, totaling approximately 750 million VND. According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Lanh, the revolving fund model provides members with additional capital for small-scale businesses, livestock farming, crop cultivation, or purchasing health insurance for their families, contributing to improving their lives. The Women's Association of Su Nam Hamlet has also established a garment manufacturing group, providing members with work during their free time. The group has 16 members, earning 3-4 million VND per month per person. In the near future, the association plans to establish a clean vegetable farming group with 7 participating households, further increasing members' income.

Besides supporting economic development, the Women's Union of Hon Dat commune also implements many practical social welfare models. In Hamlet 1, Hoa Thuan village, the union launched the "Free Clothing Donation Point" model with 11 participating members. Ms. Dinh Thi Phuong Lan - President of the Women's Union of Hon Dat commune said: "Initially, the model has yielded positive results. Used clothes are donated, sorted, washed, and neatly folded to be given away free to women, children, and people in difficult circumstances. This not only helps alleviate difficulties for members, poor women, and those in difficult circumstances, but also contributes to spreading the spirit of sharing in the community."

Besides implementing the annual poverty reduction plan for women, one of the highlights of the effective implementation by the Women's Union of Son Kien commune is the "Godmother" program. Recently, the union, in coordination with benefactors, has supported 5 orphaned children due to the COVID-19 pandemic and 18 orphaned children in difficult circumstances with a total value of over 200 million VND. "The program not only helps children overcome difficulties but also spreads the spirit of social responsibility, affirming the role of the union in caring for and protecting the rights of women and children," said Ms. Dinh Thi Kim Chi, President of the Women's Union of Son Kien commune.

The Women's Union of Son Kien commune has also successfully implemented the "Millions of Gifts Sharing Love" program, contributing to the goal of sustainable development and ensuring no one is left behind. From 2021 to the present, the Women's Union at all levels, from the commune to the hamlets, has donated more than 6,000 gifts to women and children in difficult circumstances, totaling over 2 billion VND... "My family is very poor, so the hamlet's Women's Union regularly visits, encourages, and supports us with gifts. These gifts not only help me alleviate difficulties but also make me feel warmer in life," shared Ms. Truong Thi Trang, residing in Muong Kinh A hamlet, Son Kien commune.

MINI

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ho-tro-phu-nu-vuon-len-a479952.html