Coastal Village Chief Dedicated to the Needy

With a kind face and a smile always on his lips, veteran - Head of Phu Hai village (Ky Anh commune) Nguyen Tien Dung (born 1974), is always loved and admired by the people, especially the poor households.

Village chief Nguyen Tien Dung came to encourage Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhu - wife of a martyr to build a new house when there is support from higher levels.

In 1995, after three years of military service, Mr. Dung returned home after being demobilized. His youth, will to train in the military environment and dedication brought him to and quickly caught up with the local movement activities. From the positions of mass organizations, in 2007, he was elected as the Head of Phu Hai village - one of the poorest villages of Ky Anh commune.

Taking on the task in the context of a village with many difficulties, a high poverty rate, and persistent poverty from generation to generation, Mr. Dung always wondered: "If we want the locality to develop, first of all, everyone must have food and clothing; there must be no more poor people."

When the Government launched the Sustainable Poverty Reduction Program, he considered it a golden opportunity to help people change their lives. But policy is only one part, the most important thing is that the leader must know how to mobilize, connect and arouse the consensus of the people. And, Mr. Dung did that.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung reported to Ky Anh commune officials the progress of house construction for Ms. Nguyen Thi Nhu.

In the process of implementing sustainable poverty reduction, Mr. Dung faced many obstacles. Many poor households, although eligible for housing support, were still hesitant to accept the money because they were afraid of not having enough counterpart funds or of the costs that would be beyond their ability to pay. "Knowing that people are afraid, I have to make them believe," Mr. Dung confided.

For these households, he boldly advanced the construction materials, made a commitment to the builders to start building the houses first, and then considered the costs later. Thanks to that determination, many makeshift, dilapidated roofs of poor households were replaced by solid houses, warm with neighborly love.

One of the cases that Mr. Dung will always remember is Mrs. Nguyen Thi Nhu, over 90 years old, wife of a martyr. After storm No. 10, her old house was severely damaged. The village planned to rebuild it, but Mrs. Nhu firmly refused because she was afraid of causing trouble and increasing costs, putting more burden on her children and grandchildren.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung talked with Ky Anh commune officials and reporters about the process of working as a village cadre and poverty reduction.

Unable to let a person with revolutionary contributions live in a dilapidated, patched-up house, Mr. Dung strongly campaigned, both to encourage the spirit and to ensure that he would take care of any problems that might arise. Finally, the house of gratitude (estimated to cost more than 100 million VND to complete) was started and is preparing to be completed, to the joy of Mr. Nhu as well as the whole Phu Hai village.

Looking at the new house taking shape, Mr. Nhu choked up and shared: “It’s not that I don’t want a new house, I’m just worried that I don’t have enough money and it will affect other people. Thanks to Mr. Dung and the neighbors, I have the house of my dreams to live happily for the rest of my life.”

Not only concerned about housing, Mr. Dung understands that to escape poverty sustainably, people must have a stable livelihood. He and the village committee carefully review each case, identify the right subjects to support appropriate models. Those who have the ability to work will be supported with breeding animals, those who are attached to the sea will be supported to buy or repair boats, and supplement fishing gear.

With the enthusiasm and dynamism of Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung, Phu Hai village is becoming more and more prosperous.

Thanks to the “right people, right needs” approach, many poor households have risen out of poverty through their own traditional jobs. Mr. Dung always determined: “We cannot provide widespread support. Support must be targeted and appropriate, so that people can develop.”

From 2021 to now, under the leadership of Mr. Dung, the participation of the Village Executive Committee and the consensus of the people, the poor village of Phu Hai has had a strong transformation: 20 poor households have had new solid houses built, many other houses have been repaired; dozens of households have received livelihood support such as breeding chickens, fishing gear... The rate of poor households has decreased from 12% in 2021 to less than 3%. The rate of near-poor households has decreased from 15% to less than 4%.

In addition to taking care of collective work, at home, Nguyen Tien Dung also produces fish sauce to develop the family economy .

These numbers are proof of the determination, creativity and responsibility for the people's lives of village chief Nguyen Tien Dung.

That silent but effective contribution has been recognized. During the period 2020 - 2025, Mr. Dung was awarded a certificate of merit by the Provincial People's Committee; was recognized as an excellent party member for 5 consecutive years and was honored as a typical example of studying and following Uncle Ho.

But for him, the biggest reward is the smiles of people in the new houses, and the "big wins" at sea of fishermen who have just received support for boats and fishing gear.

In a coastal locality with many difficulties, the image of veteran - Village Chief Nguyen Tien Dung still stands out with his enthusiasm, simplicity and devotion to the people. He is not only a dedicated village cadre but also a friend and companion who is willing to share difficulties with the people in the journey of sustainable poverty eradication.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Dung is a dedicated village cadre, close to the people and very prestigious with the people. The village's remarkable poverty reduction results in recent times have a great mark from his efforts. The Party Committee and the commune government have recognized and highly appreciated his sense of responsibility and dedication to the people's lives.
Mr. Le Hoai Nam, Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ky Anh commune

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/truong-thon-vung-bien-tan-tuy-voi-nhung-hoan-canh-kho-khan-post300583.html