The family of Ms. Nguyen Thi Thom in Hung Tien commune (Kim Son district) is classified as a poor household. Ms. Thom's poverty stems from the fact that both she and her husband suffer from numerous illnesses and ailments year-round. At over 60 years old, facing so many challenges in life, Ms. Thom doesn't dare dream of the day her family escapes poverty. Both husband and wife suffer from complications of diabetes; her husband's condition is more severe, and he has already had one leg amputated due to necrosis. The man, once the breadwinner of the family, is now a severely disabled person, unable to work. Ms. Thom has become her husband's support, but due to her own illnesses, she cannot do strenuous work to earn a living. The family's livelihood depends on her husband's nearly 800,000 VND government allowance and the small amount she earns from weaving. With their advanced age and declining health, and without children, the couple relies solely on each other.
Following a donor's visit to Mrs. Thom's family during the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), one can truly understand the hardships the couple endures. Mrs. Thom, while caring for her husband, is also busy tending to the flock of chickens provided by the local government to help improve their living standards. Mrs. Thom shared: "Over the years, in our journey to improve our lives, we have always received practical support from the State, the province, the local government, and philanthropists, especially as the New Year approaches. We deeply appreciate these Tet gifts, which not only help my husband and I prepare for Tet more fully, but also demonstrate the care and support of the community."
Mr. Vu Cong Tri, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hung Tien commune, shared: "In recent years, the locality has made many efforts in economic development, increasing income, and improving the lives of the people. Small-scale handicraft industries have increased in both quality and quantity, creating positive changes in the local economic structure. By the end of 2023, the poverty rate in the commune was only 2.6%. A large proportion of these households are single-parent households, those who are sick, or those who have faced misfortune..."
During the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon, with the motto that everyone and every family should enjoy a warm and fulfilling spring festival, along with support from the Party, State, and local authorities, the locality also allocated funds from the "Gratitude and Social Security" Fund to support over 100 households of war veterans, poor households, near-poor households, and households with particularly difficult circumstances, with a total budget of over 100 million VND. In the long term, the locality will be determined to implement this effectively. This includes thoroughly reviewing and understanding the causes of poverty and the circumstances of each poor household, thereby proposing appropriate support solutions.
In 2024, under the leadership and guidance of the province and district, Hung Tien commune will also effectively implement poverty reduction projects under the National Target Program for Sustainable Poverty Reduction, creating momentum for the poor to rise up. In the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year), Red Cross officials and volunteers in Yen Khanh district are also very busy mobilizing and connecting benevolent hearts to create resources to give gifts to the poor to celebrate Tet.
Mr. Do Quang An, Chairman of the Yen Khanh District Red Cross Society, said: "Every year, the Lunar New Year is an opportunity for many charitable organizations and individuals to express their love and compassion for the poor. Acting as a 'bridge' between these benefactors and the poor, the Red Cross Societies at all levels have surveyed the needs of those requiring assistance during Tet, and from there developed appropriate support plans. In addition, the Society has also intensified its efforts to promote and encourage officials, members, volunteers, philanthropists, companies, businesses, and social organizations to donate rice, confectionery, clothing, and essential food items to visit and give to poor households and those with particularly difficult circumstances."
During the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon 2024, the Red Cross branches at all levels in Yen Khanh district are striving to mobilize 1,000 gift packages for poor households and people in difficult circumstances. Currently, many organizations and individuals have registered to participate in the "Compassionate Tet" program in Yen Khanh district. Gift-giving activities began in early December and are currently underway. Recently, the district Red Cross branch facilitated a visit and gift-giving event for 50 households with particularly difficult circumstances in the area, organized by Ninh Binh Lottery Company Limited.
As one of the 50 recipients of gifts from Ninh Binh Lottery Company Limited, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Truong (Khanh Loi commune) was very excited. Mr. Truong is disabled, but he shoulders the responsibility of being a husband and father to two school-aged children. Mr. Truong confided: "I am disabled and have great difficulty moving around. Therefore, the burden of making a living falls entirely on my wife. The family's livelihood depends on a few acres of rice fields and my wife's extra work. Every Tet holiday is the time when I feel the most burdened. Because, as the man of the family, I cannot provide a fulfilling Tet for my wife and children. For many years, families like mine have received care, sharing, and assistance from benefactors in the form of meaningful and practical gifts." Although life still presents hardships, I believe that with the encouragement and support of the State, the province, and the love and care of the community, we will actively strive to overcome them.
Fifteen visually impaired members of Yen Khanh district also received gifts in the "Tet of Compassion" program organized by the District Red Cross Society and sponsors. Ms. Trinh Thi Mai, Vice President of the Yen Khanh District Association of the Blind, said: currently, the District Association of the Blind has 208 members, about 60% of whom are married and have become the main economic providers for their families. Over the years, the District Association has made many efforts to introduce suitable occupations to its members, such as massage, acupressure, and toothpick making, to support members in finding employment and improving their quality of life. At the same time, the Association has strictly managed and guided members in using loan capital for employment purposes, with a total of 596 million VND lent to 20 members to invest in breeding buffaloes and cows, poultry, and trading services… However, generally speaking, the lives of visually impaired people still face many difficulties.
Currently, the Association still has over 10 households classified as poor. Every year, the Lunar New Year is a time when visually impaired people receive much attention and support from all levels of government, organizations, and philanthropists, ensuring that 100% of members receive Tet gifts.
With the goal of ensuring that no poor household is left without a Tet celebration, since the end of 2023, the Provincial People's Committee has issued a directive to localities, departments, agencies, and organizations to focus all resources and mobilize businesses and organizations to join hands in caring for the poor during Tet.
This year, our province has allocated tens of billions of VND to give gifts to people with meritorious services; the poor, near-poor, and households with difficult circumstances to celebrate Tet. This includes supporting 50 households facing sudden hardship with gifts and cash of 2.5 million VND per household; supporting poor households with 500,000 VND per household and near-poor households with 400,000 VND per household. In addition, our province has also allocated significant funds to support other groups such as: disadvantaged children; the Social Protection and Welfare Center; the Yen Mo District Mental Health Rehabilitation Center; Juvenile Detention Center No. 2; and the Ninh Binh Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center…
With the support of the central and provincial governments, localities have also proactively carried out many activities to care for war veterans and the poor. It has become a beautiful tradition that every Tet holiday brings many beautiful and heartwarming acts of kindness from organizations and individuals towards those in difficult circumstances.
The collective effort to care for the poor during Tet (Lunar New Year) has also attracted the support and participation of many organizations, businesses, and philanthropists, with thousands of gift packages for poor households with particularly difficult circumstances in the province.
It is evident that, with the active involvement of agencies, departments, social organizations, and philanthropists, through many practical activities to care for the poor and those receiving social welfare benefits during Tet, everyone will have a warm and joyful traditional Tet holiday. Furthermore, the community's support demonstrates great confidence and encouragement for the poor to begin the new year with renewed optimism and resilience.
Dao Hang
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