Intergenerational Self-Help Club Model: A Solid Support for the Elderly in Tay Ninh

The Intergenerational Self-Help Club model has affirmed its positive role in social security work in Tay Ninh province.

Launching ceremony of the Intergenerational Self-Help Club in Loc Khe neighborhood, Gia Binh ward, Trang Bang town and providing livelihood capital to the elderly in difficult circumstances.

As a voluntary social organization, the Intergenerational Self-Help Club not only gathers many different subjects and ages but also strongly promotes the spirit of mutual love among members, especially the elderly (NCT) in difficult circumstances. From caring for life, supporting livelihoods to health care and improving spiritual life, this model has contributed to improving the quality of life for the elderly, spreading humanistic values in the community.

The Intergenerational Self-Help Club was formed with the goal of building a network of mutual support, creating conditions for members to promote their roles in the family and society. Through practical activities, the clubs have effectively implemented material support such as lending capital to develop production, livestock, and small businesses; at the same time, providing health care, psychological counseling, and organizing cultural and artistic activities, thereby helping the elderly live happily, healthily, and usefully. The close coordination between the clubs and local authorities, unions and social organizations also contributes to ensuring the rights and enhancing the position of the elderly in community life.

In 2024, the province established 22 new clubs, bringing the total number to 272 clubs with 11,318 members. The clubs were supported with initial resources of up to VND 9.4 billion, along with 54 cows and 7 breeding goats. From these resources, 1,596 members have access to capital to develop production and stabilize income. 100% of districts and communes in the province have clubs; of which, 9 communes have deployed them to the hamlets, typically Thanh Phuoc commune (Go Dau district) with 8 hamlet-level clubs operating effectively.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tien - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Elderly Association said: "Each Intergenerational Self-Help Club is a nucleus of solidarity, a place that not only provides material support but also spiritual support for the elderly, especially those who are lonely or sick."

Compared to the target set by the Provincial People's Committee by 2025, which is 100% of districts have clubs and build at least 50 more clubs with 2,000 members, the current results are not only achieved early but also exceed the requirements, showing the practical effectiveness and strong spread of the model.

One of the highlights of the model is its ability to help the elderly in difficult circumstances improve their income, escape poverty and contribute back to the community. Many members, after stabilizing their lives, have actively participated in social activities such as building roads, visiting and encouraging the lonely and sick elderly, and planting flowers along the roads to create a clean and beautiful landscape. Roads named “Elderly” are appearing more and more, decorated with bright flowers and care from the club members themselves.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tien commented: “The Intergenerational Self-Help Club model is not only a place to promote the intelligence, experience and spirit of mutual support of the elderly, but also a solution to build a sustainable community. The success of the model comes from the joint efforts of all levels, sectors and especially the efforts of the elderly themselves.”

Increasing income for members is always identified by the clubs as a key task. With a total initial capital of more than 8.2 billion VND along with 54 cows and 2 goats for breeding, the clubs have created conditions for 1,349 households to borrow capital to invest in production and business. In parallel, there are seminars and visits to effective models for members to learn and replicate. Many clubs have established income-increasing funds from 20 to 105 million VND, creating a flexible revolving capital source, helping members to proactively invest in accordance with their circumstances and capabilities. Thanks to that, the elderly not only improve their lives but also become more confident and attached to the community.

In particular, the Intergenerational Self-Help Club model not only benefits the elderly but also spreads humanistic values to young members of the community. Ms. Pham Thi Thu, 50 years old, residing in Dong Ha hamlet, Tan Dong commune, Tan Chau district, although not yet of senior age, due to difficult circumstances, the Club created conditions for her to borrow 50 million VND to invest in buying a sausage making machine at home.

Ms. Thu said: “My family has no land, I don’t have a stable job, I just want to have something to do at home to take care of my family and have extra income, but I don’t have capital so I have to give up. Thanks to the loan from the club, I was able to buy machinery and start making ham. At first I sold to acquaintances, then gradually I had regular deliveries, and individual customers also supported me. Now I have something to do every day, and I have money coming in and out, I feel more at ease. Joining the club, I not only receive financial support, but also feel the sharing and attachment from the people around me, something precious that I never had before.”

Along with economic development, elderly health care is an activity that the clubs pay special attention to. In Thanh Phuoc commune, 3 clubs set up free medicine cabinets worth more than 5 million VND/cabinet, fully equipped with essential medical equipment such as blood pressure monitors, health scales, etc., managed by retired medical staff . In addition, the clubs also coordinate with the health sector and the Oriental Medicine Association to organize regular medical examinations, consultations and free medicine distribution, contributing to improving the quality of primary health care for the elderly right in the community.

Spiritual life is taken care of through amateur music exchanges, cultural activities, study tours or simply friendly meetings between members. The joyful and warm atmosphere in these activities helps the elderly to love life more, reduce loneliness, strengthen the relationship between neighbors and create consensus in the residential area.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Khoan, 60 years old, Dong Ha hamlet, member of Tan Dong commune club, Tan Chau district shared: “Since joining the club, I have been happier and healthier. Every time I go out to socialize or visit, it is an opportunity to meet, chat and share with each other. Old people like us do not need much, just having friends and a place to live makes life meaningful.”

Not only taking care of members, the clubs are also an effective bridge between the people and the government, bringing the Party's guidelines and policies and the State's laws closer to the people. Thereby raising awareness of the rights and responsibilities of each individual in building a civilized and affectionate residential area.

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh - Chairman of the Elderly Association of Go Dau district shared: "The Intergenerational Self-Help Club is a bridge for political and social organizations to get closer to the people. When the elderly are healthy and optimistic, the family is peaceful and the society is stable."

Through specific and practical activities, the Intergenerational Self-Help Club model in Tay Ninh has shown clear effectiveness in supporting the elderly to improve their lives, increase their income, take care of their health and connect with the community. Not only is it a place for members to rely on each other, the clubs have also become familiar meeting places, where the elderly find joy, sharing and the feeling of living a useful life every day. This is also the motivation for the model to continue to be replicated, accompanying the elderly on the journey of living happily, healthily and meaningfully.

Lam Giang

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/diem-tua-vung-chac-cho-nguoi-cao-tuoi-o-tay-ninh-a190689.html