Dedicated to serving our sisters.

With a sense of responsibility and dedication, many officials of the Women's Union of Ca Mau City have devoted themselves to the work of the Union, for the development of women, as well as actively participating in social welfare activities, aiming to care for women in difficult circumstances.

• The heart of a rural woman
• Garment manufacturing improves women's lives.
• Active rural women engage in economic activities.

Every day, 64-year-old Thach Kim Lien from Ward 5 pushes a cart selling boiled cassava and sweet potatoes to make a living; her younger sister, 62-year-old Thach Thi Hoa, collects scrap metal to sell for extra income. The sisters live together in a house provided by benefactors, but it is now dilapidated. Understanding the family's difficulties, Ms. Vo Thi Thu Thuy, President of the Women's Union of Ward 5, and other women regularly provide them with essential supplies. Earlier this year, through the ward's women's volunteer group, Ms. Thuy mobilized donations to provide Ms. Lien and Ms. Hoa with health insurance cards valid for 12 months.

Ms. Thuy handed over the health insurance card she had successfully campaigned for to Ms. Thach Kim Lien, 64 years old, residing in Ward 5, Ca Mau City.

Ms. Lien shared: “I have diabetes. Before, I didn't have health insurance, and sometimes I couldn't afford the medicine. I only went to the doctor and got medicine once every 3 or 4 months, so my condition didn't improve. I was so happy to receive the health insurance card. With the card, I can go for regular check-ups, and my condition has improved a lot. I am very grateful to Ms. Thuy and the other ladies.”

For over six years, Ms. Thuy has consistently supported the provision of health insurance cards to disadvantaged women. Thanks to this care and assistance, many single women who are unable to work have been able to participate in health insurance continuously, reducing the costs of medical treatment.

Ms. Thuy said: “From 2019 until now, my colleagues and I have been helping to purchase health insurance for women in difficult circumstances, especially elderly and single women. Previously, health insurance was cheaper, so we were able to buy it for 7 or 8 women. This year, we've been able to buy it for 4 women.”

Currently, the cost of health insurance is considerable for many families facing financial difficulties. Therefore, fundraising to donate health insurance cards is very practical and meaningful, providing not only material support but also moral encouragement so that many women can receive healthcare when they are sick or ill. Besides supporting those in need within her locality, Ms. Thuy also assists those in Hoa Thanh and Hoa Tan communes. The Dong Tam Club of the Women's Union of the ward has carried out many meaningful activities to improve and help women in difficult circumstances, easing some of their life burdens.

Ms. Thuy shared: "On special occasions like Tet (Lunar New Year) and the Mid-Autumn Festival, my colleagues and I actively solicit donations from benefactors to provide gifts for women in difficult circumstances. The support of these benefactors warms our hearts, and we strive even harder each day to ensure that women in need receive more assistance."

A prime example of an active and dedicated Women's Union official is Ms. Mai Thi Lanh, currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Tan Thanh Commune Women's Union. For many years, with unwavering enthusiasm and dedication, Ms. Lanh has actively participated in various Women's Union activities and made significant contributions to the development of women's-oriented initiatives. Ms. Lanh has always been a pioneer in these movements, particularly in disseminating knowledge about reproductive health care, disease prevention, and self-protection skills for women and children.

Ms. Lanh (center) actively participates in health training sessions to improve her communication skills. (Photo: Provided by women of Tan Thanh commune).

Ms. Lanh shared: “Because I used to work in the healthcare sector, I always incorporate knowledge sharing with members during meetings and gatherings. To date, women in the locality have improved their healthcare practices. They have a firm grasp of issues such as the benefits of regular health check-ups, proper patient care, nutrition during pregnancy, and nutrition for teenagers…”

Ms. Lanh regularly updates her knowledge of nutrition and health for her family. She goes online, reads books and newspapers, and records useful information, current events, and things to prevent to disseminate to other women in the commune. Ms. Lanh, along with the Women's Union of Tan Thanh commune, mobilizes funds to support women in difficult circumstances with health insurance cards; and implements a program to provide iron supplements for pregnant women... Thanks to her active and dedicated contributions, the movement to care for women's health in Tan Thanh commune is developing strongly. Many women have changed their perceptions and improved their quality of life.

Ms. Lanh happily shared: “The best part is that people understand and have changed their behavior in caring for themselves and their families. Previously, when children had diarrhea, family members wouldn't give them water, leading to exhaustion and dehydration. Now, there are better ways to care for them. Similarly, mothers who previously didn't go for check-ups and screenings now know to get screened regularly. The women are also paying more attention to nutrition; for many years, there haven't been any cases of underweight babies in the commune. Before, no one wanted to take the nutritious porridge; we had to go to each house. Now, the women proactively come to receive it. My colleagues and I are very happy about this.”

Life still presents many challenges, especially for women and children. Thanks to the enthusiasm and compassionate hearts of the women's association members, such as Ms. Vo Thi Thu Thuy and Ms. Mai Thi Lanh, poor women receive more support and learn to take better care of their health.

Lam Khanh

Source: https://baocamau.vn/tan-tam-vi-chi-em-a38644.html