Awakening inner strength, opening a sustainable way out of poverty

(QBĐT) - Escaping poverty is not only a story of assistance, but also a long journey of will and opportunity. With the livelihood support program (HTSK) implemented by the Red Cross Society (RCS) of Le Thuy district, many households in disadvantaged areas have had a foothold to rise up with their own labor. Small-scale but effective livestock and crop farming models are changing the face of the countryside every day and giving hope to many people in difficult circumstances.

Small model, big change

Cua Met Village (Ngan Thuy Commune, Le Thuy) is located deep in the mountains of western Quang Binh , where the people are mainly Bru-Van Kieu ethnic minorities, whose lives are closely tied to slash-and-burn farming and traditional production practices. Many years ago, poverty was still lurking in every house here. But now, Cua Met is different. From waiting and relying, people are increasingly conscious of developing production to stabilize their lives.

The family of Mr. Ho Van (born in 1964) is one of the typical cases. Belonging to a poor household and a policy family, Mr. Van and his wife live a difficult life between old age and illness, without a stable job, only relying on farming. In 2023, through the HTSK program, he received capital support from the Red Cross Society of Le Thuy district to buy sows. With capital in hand, he and his wife were determined to invest in building barns and learning how to take care of livestock. From the two initial pigs, his herd of pigs multiplied through litters, bringing in a steady income, significantly improving the family's life. "With pigs and someone to guide us, my wife and I are confident in escaping poverty. Now that we have money coming in, we are less worried about medical expenses when we are sick or about family expenses," Mr. Van shared. With a stable source of income, his family voluntarily applied to be removed from the poverty line, a decision that was meaningful not only to his family but also to the locality.

Thanks to livelihood support, many poor households in Le Thuy have the conditions to invest in economic development and stabilize their lives.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Duc, Head of Cua Met village, along with Mr. Ho Van's family, the village has 30 households benefiting from the HTSK program of the District Red Cross Association. The support source is not large, but thanks to being implemented to the right subjects, along with technical advice and close supervision, the effectiveness is really clear. "Since the program was launched, people have been enthusiastic about production and livestock farming. Some households have escaped poverty, some are approaching the average living standard. The most valuable thing is that everyone has more confidence and motivation to strive," Mr. Duc said excitedly.

Spread kindness, awaken inner strength

Not only in Ngan Thuy, the HTSK program has been and is continuing to be implemented by the Le Thuy District Red Cross Association in many other difficult areas. Depending on the conditions of each locality and the needs of each household, the livelihood model is flexibly designed, such as: Support for raising pigs, cows, goats; planting fruit trees, medicinal plants; support for production tools... This not only helps people easily access but also promotes the strengths of each region. According to the Chairwoman of the Le Thuy District Red Cross Association, Nguyen Thi Tham, the special feature of the program is the combination of initial material support and long-term companionship. The Association not only provides capital or breeds, but also closely follows each model, provides technical guidance, visits, and encourages people throughout the implementation process.

From socialized funding sources, the support of businesses, charitable organizations, and kind-hearted individuals inside and outside the province, up to now, hundreds of households in Le Thuy district have accessed the HTSK source. These “seeds of hope” are not only a lifeline in difficult times, but more importantly, they arouse the will to rise up, helping people change their thinking and proactively rise up.

Since the beginning of 2025, the Le Thuy District Red Cross Society has supported 10 households in the district (VND 5 million/household) to buy livestock breeds; supported 10 households in Mai Thuy commune (VND 4 million/household) to buy chicken breeds for breeding. In addition, through the appeal channel from the District Red Cross Society, the Lao Cai Provincial Red Cross Society has supported 28 livelihood models (VND 5 million/model) for people in Ngu Thuy and Ngu Thuy Bac communes; the Provincial Red Cross Society supported livelihoods for 2 households in Truong Thuy during the 2025 Humanitarian Month.

In reality, the HTSK program is not only a humanitarian activity, but also a practical and sustainable solution in the fight against hunger and poverty reduction. From small models, with careful but practical approaches, the Red Cross Society of Le Thuy district has contributed to changing the lives of many families, spreading the spirit of "mutual love" in the community. However, in order for the program to continue to be effective and expand to more areas, strong cooperation from many sides is needed: Governments at all levels, businesses, organizations, and philanthropists... Support needs to be associated with technical training, building product outputs, monitoring after support and having periodic assessments to adjust to reality. “The most important thing is to continue to foster a new mindset in people: Seeing initial support not as relief but as starting motivation. Only when people truly own the model, have aspirations and specific plans, can their livelihoods develop sustainably, thereby multiplying practical effectiveness,” Ms. Nguyen Thi Tham affirmed.

Small breeds, the first orchards or herds of pigs… may not bring wealth, but they are a solid stepping stone for the poor to change their fate with their own sweat and effort. And in that journey, each resource given at the right time and place is a kindling that warms and supports the faith of countless families who are quietly finding their way forward in the midst of a busy life.

Peace of Mind

Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/xa-hoi/202506/khoi-day-noi-luc-mo-loi-thoat-ngheo-ben-vung-2226891/