Van Thang Commune: Caring for and looking after the elderly.

Over the past period, the Elderly Association of Van Thang commune has implemented many practical activities to care for the material and spiritual lives of its members; at the same time, promoting the role of the elderly in carrying out association work and building their homeland.

Establish a fund to support members.

The commune's Elderly Association currently has 2,145 members, organized into 15 branches. To secure funding for its activities, the association at all levels has intensified its efforts to promote and encourage members to contribute to various funds. In addition to mandatory association contributions, members have also voluntarily contributed to the reserve fund. To date, the total association fund and reserve fund across the commune exceeds 6.3 billion VND. These funds are used to improve the lives of the elderly and to support members in obtaining loans for economic development, ranging from 5 to 30 million VND per person, with an interest rate of 1% per year.

Give gifts to elderly people in difficult circumstances.

A prime example of effective fundraising is the Tan Dan 1 Village Elderly Association. Upon joining, each member voluntarily contributes between 2.9 and 3.7 million VND to the fund. Thanks to strict management, proper use, and efficient utilization of capital, the association's fund has now reached over 4.7 billion VND. From this fund, the association visits and provides gifts to members in difficult circumstances, those who are sick or ill, with an annual expenditure of 8 to 10 million VND; supports funeral expenses of 20 million VND per person; and provides loans to members for business ventures and improving their living standards. Mr. Do Hong Van, Head of the Tan Dan 1 Village Elderly Association, stated that the association has also established a Elderly Care Fund totaling 366 million VND. This fund is used to provide loans to members, supplementing their living expenses, including funeral assistance for those aged 18 and above who pass away.

To help elderly people improve their health and mental well-being, the commune's Elderly Association has established 28 clubs for health exercises, table tennis, badminton, and other physical activities, attracting nearly 700 elderly people to participate regularly. The association has also established 7 intergenerational self-help clubs with 326 members. At these clubs, elderly people not only receive information on relevant policies, participate in cultural and artistic exchanges, and engage in physical exercise and sports, but also receive support in obtaining loans to develop their family businesses, contributing to improving their quality of life both materially and spiritually. In addition, the associations at all levels have implemented many practical activities such as: giving gifts to poor and near-poor elderly people with difficult circumstances during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year); supporting the construction and repair of houses for poor elderly people; coordinating the organization of free periodic health check-ups twice a year for members; and creating health management records for 2,120 elderly people…

Contributing to building our homeland

Elderly people in the commune have actively played their role, contributing their wisdom and strength to local development. Currently, the commune has 49 elderly people participating in Party, government, Front, and mass organization work; 82 elderly people participate in mediation groups, security and order groups, and community monitoring groups. The branches have also effectively implemented 12 "Elderly People's Self-Managed Road Sections" models, becoming a bright spot in the new rural development movement and strengthening community solidarity. In Binh Trung 1 village, the "Elderly People's Self-Managed Road Section" model attracts more than 40 members. Members coordinate with mass organizations in the village to regularly mobilize members and residents to participate in weekly and monthly cleaning; to disseminate information and remind people to dispose of garbage in designated areas, to increase waste collection, and to maintain a green, clean, and beautiful environment. In addition, they actively participate in maintaining security and order at the grassroots level to build a safe and civilized residential area.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Ky, Chairman of the Elderly Association of the commune, said that in the coming time, the association will continue to promote the building and management of funds in a transparent, democratic, and purposeful manner to use them more effectively in supporting the lives of its members. At the same time, it will effectively implement the "Elderly - Shining Examples" movement, promoting the role of the elderly in local activities, contributing to building a more civilized and sustainably developed homeland.

Ms. NGUYEN THI HANH - President of the Provincial Association of Elderly People: The Association of Elderly People in Van Thang commune is a unit that effectively carries out activities to care for the lives of its members, while also effectively promoting the role of the elderly in various fields in the locality. Outstanding among these is the work of building and managing funds effectively, thereby creating a stable resource to provide timely support to the elderly. Recently, the Association of Elderly People in the commune was awarded a certificate of commendation by the Provincial People's Committee for its outstanding achievements in implementing the "Elderly - Shining Example" emulation movement and the tasks of the Association of Elderly People in the period 2021 - 2025.

CHAU TUONG

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/tin-tuc-dia-phuong/202605/xa-van-thang-quan-tam-cham-lo-nguoi-cao-tuoi-1ea7262/