Supporting members in overcoming difficulties.

Since the beginning of the 2021-2026 term, the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward, Binh Thuy District, has focused on building and improving many practical models suitable to the local reality. Simultaneously, the Union has established and effectively managed loan groups from the Social Policy Bank, revolving capital groups, and mutual support groups for economic development. Through these models and activities, many members have had the opportunity to engage in production and business, rise out of poverty, and improve their living standards.

Officials from the Women's Union of Tra Noc ward visited and inquired about the lives of members of the traditional cake-making cooperative.

Together with officials from the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward, we visited and learned about several economic models that provide employment for many female members. Among them, the most prominent is the Cooperative Group for making traditional cakes, established in 2022, which currently provides stable employment for 10 members, with an income of 3-5 million VND per person per month. The cooperative's cakes, such as banh tet (sticky rice cake), banh in (printed rice cake), com gao (rice flakes), and coconut jelly, are well-known and trusted by customers both within and outside the district. Ms. Do Thi Kieu Oanh, a member of the traditional cake-making cooperative, said: “I'm from Dong Thap province, but I got married and settled in Tra Noc and have been a member of the cooperative for almost two years. Currently, my cake-making business earns about 5 million VND per month and provides regular employment for 3 female workers, with an hourly wage of 20,000 VND.”

The THT model for sewing and processing sports gloves has been established and effectively maintained by the Association for over 10 years. The group currently provides employment for 28 women, with an income of 3-5 million VND per person per month. Ms. Tran Thi Them, a member of the THT, said: “Before, I was a stay-at-home housewife and took my children to school. Encouraged by the Association's officials, I took advantage of my free time after finishing my housework to work with other women sewing gloves. Thanks to this work, I earn about 3 million VND per month.”

The Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward has established and maintained 9 loan groups with the Social Policy Bank, supporting 485 households with outstanding loans exceeding 23 billion VND. Simultaneously, they have established and maintained 32 revolving fund groups with no interest, comprising 549 members. Previously, Ms. Phan Thi Thanh Huyen, a member of the Women's Union in Area 2, faced many difficulties. Her husband is a sales employee, and she is a stay-at-home mother with two school-aged children. The Women's Union of the ward assisted her in applying for a loan from the Social Policy Bank to invest in a breakfast shop. She cooks delicious food and has a friendly demeanor, so the shop is always busy. Ms. Huyen shared: "Every day, after deducting expenses, I earn over 200,000 VND, saving up for my children's education."

Over the four-year term (2021-2026), the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward, in coordination with its branches, mobilized support for disadvantaged members and officials during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), totaling nearly 400 million VND. Simultaneously, they mobilized support for the construction and repair of four "Houses of Love" for women in difficult housing situations, worth 108 million VND… Ms. Nguyen Thi Phung's family in Area 2 was previously classified as a poor household. Their old house was dilapidated, but they lacked the means to repair it. In 2023, the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward mobilized benefactors to support her with 30 million VND for house repairs. The Union also introduced Ms. Phung to domestic work, providing her with additional income to support her life. At the end of 2023, Ms. Phung's family was officially recognized as having escaped poverty.

Ms. Le Thi Kieu Nuong, President of the Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward, informed: Through many practical care and support activities, over the past four years, the Union has helped 25 poor and near-poor households with women to rise out of poverty and near-poverty, and currently there are no female members classified as poor or near-poor. The Women's Union of Tra Noc Ward will continue to build, maintain, and improve the model of supporting members to develop their economy effectively; providing timely loan support so that women have the conditions to invest in production, business, and small-scale trading. Through this, it contributes to helping members improve their living standards and build prosperous, progressive, and happy families.

Text and photos: HAI THU

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/-ong-hanh-hoi-vien-vuot-kho-a187235.html