Tran Thi Dien - the person who "weaves" opportunities from woolen threads

From worker to cooperative director

In the factory filled with the sound of machinery, Mrs. Tran Thi Dien and her workers are busy completing the final products to meet the export orders. Few people expect that the worker who used to work in the silkworm and garment industry has now become the “leader” leading a group to develop strongly.

After retiring, Ms. Tran Thi Dien (left) founded Quy Anh Knitting Cooperative in Ward 2, Bao Loc, Lam Dong.

Understanding the hardships of female workers, Ms. Dien always wants to create jobs for everyone, especially women with difficult circumstances, to be able to start a business right in their hometown. After retiring, Ms. Dien has taken advantage of her skills and experience to do business and develop the economy .

In 2015, Quy Anh Knitting Cooperative, with Ms. Dien as Director and Chairwoman of the Board of Directors, was established and put into operation with the main business lines of knitting sweaters, crocheting, lace embroidery, etc.

Quy Anh Knitting Cooperative accepts processing, knitting, crocheting, lace embroidery... for domestic and foreign companies.

On the first day of establishment, the cooperative had only 20 workers, with a capital of only 300 million VND saved and 140 million VND borrowed from the Social Policy Bank through the Women's Union. From this capital, Ms. Dien boldly invested in machinery and equipment, directly recruited and trained female workers.

Having just started operating, the cooperative encountered many difficulties, with small orders, limited consumption markets, and many unskilled workers. However, with her resilience and determination, Ms. Dien persevered in gradually overcoming difficulties, proactively seeking partners, connecting, and accepting processing for domestic and foreign companies.

Create jobs for many female workers

With quality as the goal, the products of the cooperative have increasingly gained prestige, expanded the market, and brought in a stable source of income. Ms. Dien has been busy investing in more equipment, recruiting more workers, and opening cooperatives in the areas. Up to now, the cooperative has 140 regular workers in communes and wards in the province.

Quy Anh Knitting Cooperative has 140 regular workers in communes and wards in the province, generating income of 7-10 million VND/month/worker.

In addition to free vocational training, the cooperative also creates conditions for poor workers to borrow machinery and equipment, receive goods to work at home so that they can both take care of their families and earn extra income. Thanks to that, the lives of female workers are improved, and the children of workers have conditions to study and develop.

“Many female workers who used to struggle to make a living now have both income and time to take care of their children. I am very happy to be able to help them. In the future, I will try to continue to develop the cooperative, operate more effectively, create jobs and stable lives for many female workers in the locality; participate in poverty reduction work, and contribute to the development of the locality,” Ms. Dien happily said.

Every month, Quy Anh Knitting Cooperative produces about 25,000 - 30,000 products, with revenue of 600 - 700 million VND/month.

On average, each month the cooperative produces about 25,000 - 30,000 products, generating revenue of 600 - 700 million VND/month, creating an average income for female workers of about 7 - 10 million VND/month. The main products are sweaters, lace embroidery, hand-crocheted yarn... serving the domestic and foreign markets.

These efforts not only help the cooperative develop sustainably, but also bring opportunities to escape poverty and stabilize the lives of many local women. From the achievements, Ms. Dien and the cooperative have received many certificates of merit from the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance, the Provincial People's Committee and other units and localities for their positive contributions to the local economic and social development.

Ms. Le Thi Thien, Vice Chairwoman of the Ward Fatherland Front Committee, Chairwoman of the Women's Union of Ward 2, Bao Loc, said that Quy Anh Knitting Cooperative is one of the effective cooperative models owned by women in the locality, demonstrating the spirit of overcoming difficulties, affirming the mettle and capacity of women in economic development.

Ms. Tran Thi Dien not only started a successful business but also created jobs for many women, helping them stabilize their lives and escape poverty. This is a typical example for the Women's Union to continue to promote and replicate, contributing to enhancing women's economic empowerment.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/tran-thi-dien-nguoi-det-co-hoi-tu-nhung-soi-len-394492.html