Efforts to help members escape poverty.

In supporting its members' economic development, the Thoi Hung Commune Women's Union has built many practical and effective models. Specifically, in the period 2021-2025, the Union built and upgraded 3 cooperative groups and 1 cooperative; built and renovated 8 "Houses of Compassion"; and cared for poor and near-poor members... Through these efforts, the Union helped 89 women escape poverty and near-poverty.

The cooperative model for weaving and assembling fishing nets, established by the Thoi Hung Commune Women's Union, currently provides employment and increases income for many members and women.

In the final days of the year, members of the Fishing Net Weaving Cooperative are busy with their work. Ms. Tran Thi Kim Tham, a member of the Cooperative, said: “Before, I stayed at home doing housework and taking care of my young children, and the family's life depended on my husband's wages as a construction worker. For more than a year, encouraged by the Association's officials, I learned the craft and participated in weaving fishing nets. Thanks to this, I earn about 4 million VND per month, helping to cover household expenses.”

Sharing the same enthusiastic sentiment as Ms. Tham, Ms. Lu Thi My Xuyen, a member of the cooperative, confided: “My family doesn’t own any land for farming, and we mainly work as hired laborers. I was taught the craft of weaving fishing traps and received support from the Women’s Union of the commune in applying for a 20 million VND loan to buy raw materials. Currently, my income from weaving fishing traps is over 100,000 VND per day.”

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, President of the Women's Union of Thoi Hung commune, the Dan Rap Lu Cooperative in Hamlet 4 was established in 2024 with 15 members. Currently, the members' income reaches 3-6 million VND/person/month.

Along with the traditional weaving cooperative, the plastic rope weaving cooperative model, established and maintained by the Women's Union of Thoi Hung commune for many years, has contributed to solving employment problems for many members and women. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, President of the Women's Union of Thoi Hung commune, shared: "Currently, the total number of members of the cooperative is 235 women. In addition, the model also provides employment for more than 800 unemployed laborers in the locality and neighboring communes." With the advantages of being easy to learn, easy to do, requiring no capital investment, and not being bound by time constraints, on average, after only 5-7 days of training, women can receive weaving orders to do at home. For example, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thanh in Hamlet 3, Thoi Hung commune, was previously a housewife, taking care of young children, and her family's economy depended on her husband's wages. In 2024, Ms. Thanh was encouraged by Women's Union officials to participate in the model and now earns about 3 million VND/month.

During the 2021-2025 period, the Thoi Hung Commune Women's Union achieved and exceeded all 8 targets set, including: mobilizing the establishment of 1 new cooperative and 3 economic development groups; building 10 shelters for the needy; providing job placement advice for 1,200 women; and supporting 16 women in successfully starting their own businesses. In addition, the Union effectively managed 17 loan groups from the Social Policy Bank, with 997 members and outstanding loans exceeding 49 billion VND. The Union maintained capital support activities to help women develop their businesses, such as revolving capital funds and savings through piggy banks, with an annual mobilization of over 200 million VND... Through these efforts, more than 950 poor, near-poor, and disadvantaged women have been able to improve their lives.

Previously, the family of Ms. Chu Thi Lan, a member of the Women's Union in the commune, faced significant economic hardship. Her husband worked as a laborer, while Ms. Lan stayed home to do housework and take the children to and from school. Their old house had many leaks, but the family lacked the means to repair it. In 2023, the Women's Union of the commune awarded her family a "House of Love" and helped them apply for a loan to renovate their two mango orchards. Currently, their income from the mango orchard exceeds 50 million VND per year, and their family's finances have stabilized.

Ms. Do Thi Nuong, a member of the Women's Union in the commune, recounted: "My family has no land for farming and mainly works as hired laborers. In 2022, the Women's Union supported me in building a 'House of Love' and helped me apply for a loan to start a grocery store. Union officials regularly visit to inquire about my business and encourage my family. Currently, my family's economic situation is stable, and we have been removed from the list of near-poor households."

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Thanh, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Thoi Hung commune, informed: "Thanks to our efforts, during the period 2021-2025, the Women's Union of Thoi Hung commune helped 89 members escape poverty and near-poverty, exceeding the resolution's target. The Union will continue to improve and expand the model of supporting members in economic activities, creating jobs, helping women escape poverty, and improving their living standards."

Text and photos: TAM KHOA

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/no-luc-giup-hoi-vien-thoat-ngheo-a195046.html