"Common home" for war invalids and sick soldiers

Members of the 27/7 War Invalids Cooperative, Mai Son commune, exchange production experiences.

For over 36 years, the house of 1/4-class war invalid Lo Van Suc, sub-region 19, has become a place for members of the 27/7 War Invalids Cooperative to gather. As one of the founders of the Cooperative, war invalid Lo Van Suc, now over 80 years old, recalls: In August 1989, a number of war invalids and sick soldiers in Hat Lot town (now Mai Son commune) established the Cooperative with 9 members. Overcoming the initial difficulties, the Cooperative has gradually developed, and now has 26 veteran members from 4 communes: Mai Son, Chieng Mung, Chieng Mai and Ta Hoc.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and Director of the Cooperative, said: The Cooperative has both war invalids and sick soldiers, and children of families with meritorious services. The Cooperative has oriented to expand its business according to market demand, converting short-term food crops on sloping land to growing VietGAP fruit trees with high economic value; at the same time, organizing tours for members to learn about effective production models, to apply in practice. Up to now, the Cooperative has planted 25 hectares of longan and mango; contracted 60 hectares of aquaculture and developed eco-tourism at Tien Phong Lake; developed agricultural product purchasing, processing, veterinary and transportation services.

Popcorn products of veteran Nguyen Anh Dang in sub-zone 19, Mai Son commune.

Thanks to dynamism, creativity and choosing the right profession, production and business have been improved year by year. In 2024, the cooperative's revenue reached over 18 billion VND; the average income of each member household was about 500 million VND/year. Typical members: Trinh Thanh Tinh, Lo Van Suc, Nguyen Hong Xuan, Nguyen Anh Dang... The cooperative also created regular jobs for 30 local workers, with an income of 5-6 million VND/person/month.

Taking us to visit the popcorn processing model, veteran Nguyen Anh Dang, in sub-region 19, shared: I used to fight in the Vi Xuyen front ( Ha Giang ), in 1987, I was discharged and returned to my hometown. Realizing the potential of the abundant glutinous corn material area, I went to La Khe ward (Hanoi) to learn how to make popcorn. Each month, the facility processes about 3 tons of popcorn, selling it to all provinces and cities in the country, at a price of 65,000 VND/kg, bringing in an income of nearly 200 million VND/month; creating jobs for 7 workers with an income of 7-10 million VND/month.

Popcorn processing model of CCB Nguyen Anh Dang, sub-zone 19, Mai Son commune.

Cooperative members not only share production and business experiences but also care for and encourage each other in times of illness and hardship. Every year, the Cooperative organizes for veterans to visit old battlefields, historical sites, and scenic spots; on holidays, New Year, and July 27, they visit and give gifts to wounded and sick soldiers, giving them more motivation to work with peace of mind and increase their income.

In recognition of its achievements in production, business activities and care and support for war invalids, sick soldiers, veterans and families with meritorious services, the 27/7 War Invalids Cooperative has for many consecutive years achieved the title of "Advanced Labor Collective", "Excellent Labor Collective", along with many certificates of merit from the Provincial People's Committee and the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/xa-hoi/mai-nha-chung-cua-thuong-binh-benh-binh-zQNBqn8Hg.html