The spirit of "leaving no one behind" is reflected in every task, every visit, and will continue to be the guiding principle of the Association in the future.
Warmth amidst the struggles of life.
On the evening of December 10th, as the first mist of winter gently settled over the rooftops, the village roads of Phu Nghia shimmered with golden lights. The usually peaceful atmosphere of the hamlet was warmed by the arrival of the Women's Union delegation and representatives from various branches. It was a short evening, but enough time to listen, to share, and to clearly see the circumstances of those who needed a helping hand more than ever.
The delegation's first stop was the home of Mr. Do Quang Phuoc and Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuoi – the parents of Do Quang Quy, an 11th-grade student who had just returned from treatment for a serious illness. In their old, cramped, single-story house, furnished with only a few basic items, Ms. Tuoi's eyes welled up with tears as the delegation inquired about her son's condition and the use of the 120 million VND loan that the Association had previously facilitated. “He will definitely need long-term treatment at the hospital. As for the loan, the family had just invested in a fish pond and cattle farming, but the recent storm and floods wiped it all out…” Ms. Tuoi choked up, as if wanting to say more but unable to.
Previously, understanding the family's circumstances, the Women's Union of the commune had acted as an intermediary, connecting them with loan capital from the Social Policy Bank to develop their economy . However, a tragedy struck when their finances were already precarious, leaving the entire family destitute. Upon hearing about Quy's illness, the Union immediately mobilized support, providing 18.6 million VND to the family. On the evening of December 10th, the delegation stayed with Quy for a long time, both encouraging him and noting the family's urgent needs. "If the Union hadn't arrived in time, we wouldn't know how to cope," said Ms. Tuoi, her hands clasped tightly together.
Leaving Mr. Phuoc and Ms. Tuoi's house, the delegation visited Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, a member of the near-poor association, who had just completed building a small, decent house, a result of great effort. After her husband passed away, she and her three children had to move to her mother's house. The old, dilapidated house, built in 1975, had cracked walls, leaks, and a leaky roof; every time it rained or stormed, it was a terrifying experience. Thanks to a loan from the Social Policy Bank, facilitated by the Association, along with contributions from relatives and a 50 million VND grant from the Association, Ms. Thuy bravely rebuilt her house.
In the room still smelling of fresh lime, Ms. Thuy confided that having a safe and decent place to live was something she had never dared to dream of. But to have a stable life, she still needed a sustainable livelihood, especially as her two children grew older and educational expenses continued to rise. She shared her desire to borrow more capital to produce OCOP (One Commune One Product) rice wine – a profession that is opening up opportunities for many women in the commune. Ms. Dao Thi Hoa listened attentively, then promised to conduct a field survey to guide her in completing the loan application. Ms. Thuy softly said, "With a profession and working capital, my children and I can finally think about escaping near-poverty in a sustainable way."
The third family the delegation visited was that of Mr. To Van Duong, a family in particularly difficult circumstances. His wife had recently passed away, leaving behind little Ngoc, a fifth-grade student with a bright but thin face, polite yet hesitant in front of strangers. Mr. Duong used to work as a concrete demolition worker, but now suffers from ligament strain, chest pain, and edema, making him unable to continue heavy labor. In their small house, little Ngoc stood close to her father, her eyes blinking slightly when asked questions. When asked about her dream, she whispered, "I want to be an artist."
The answer left the entire group speechless for a few seconds – a beautiful dream in such dire circumstances. Right at the visit, Ms. Dao Thi Hoa decided that the Association would provide 1 million VND per month to help Ngoc continue attending school this year. Mr. Duong was so moved he was speechless: “Thank you, ladies… I really don’t know how else to manage.”
Those stories that evening, though brief, touched many emotions. It wasn't just about visiting and offering support, but also about listening, understanding, and timely sharing to help vulnerable individuals continue to stand strong.
Building a prosperous and beautiful homeland filled with love and compassion.
Phu Nghia, a large commune with over 71,000 inhabitants, is entering a period of strong development under a two-tiered local government model. Infrastructure is being invested in, traditional crafts are flourishing, and job opportunities are expanding. However, for this development to be sustainable, social welfare must always go hand in hand with economic growth. And for many years, the Phu Nghia Women's Union has been one of the core forces playing a crucial role.
Since July 2025, after reorganizing, the Association has implemented many professional activities: organizing the Congress, launching the Phu Nghia Women's Singing Contest, maintaining the effectiveness of clubs, promoting "Green Sunday" and spreading the "Women in Green Action" movement. This is an important foundation for the women's movement to enter the new term with greater enthusiasm and a clearer vision.
Most notably, the Association's policy-based credit activities stand out. Currently, the Association is entrusted with managing 109.6 billion VND in outstanding loans for 1,972 households to develop their businesses – a figure that clearly demonstrates the organizational capacity, credibility of the Association's officials, and the trust of the people. Thanks to this loan capital, thousands of women have boldly expanded their production and business, escaped precarious employment, and achieved more stable incomes.
Social welfare is also regularly and effectively taken care of by the Association: Two houses of compassion worth 180 million VND have been handed over; 30 gifts of gratitude to those who have rendered meritorious services on July 27th; the "Godmother" program is maintained to care for disadvantaged children; and vulnerable women are promptly reached out and supported by the Association. All of this creates a network of compassion that covers the entire area.
Ms. Dao Thi Hoa shared that her biggest concern wasn't the numbers, but the circumstances that "cannot wait": "Traveling extensively has shown me how hard women at the grassroots level work. They need capital, they need a livelihood, but more than anything, they need encouragement and trust. The Women's Union doesn't do everything for them, but it's always there when they feel weak."
Speaking with a reporter from Hanoi Moi Newspaper, Trinh Tien Tuong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Phu Nghia commune, assessed that the activities of the Women's Union in recent times have made an important contribution to social welfare, sustainable poverty reduction, building advanced new rural areas, and promoting gender equality. "The spirit of leaving no one behind is something the Party Committee of the commune cherishes and hopes to continue to promote..."
Amidst the development of Phu Nghia, the quiet but persistent efforts of the Women's Union are contributing to affirming the role of women in improving the quality of life for the community. From rebuilt homes and children continuing their education to women finding additional livelihoods, to clean, well-lit roads… all are writing a unique story of gender equality in this region.
The night in Phu Nghia was peaceful, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees, and the footsteps of the working group from the evening of December 10th still echoed somewhere in the small alleys. Warmth radiated from acts of kindness, from the hands of understanding and sharing women. And with hearts full of responsibility, the Phu Nghia Women's Union is continuing to uphold its promise: Leaving no one behind, working together to build a homeland that is increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and compassionate.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/phu-nu-phu-nghia-khong-bo-ai-o-lai-phia-sau-726372.html
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