The key to "escape poverty" of former Youth Volunteers Association members in Nghia Dan

In 2015, Nghia Dan district was selected by Thien Tam Fund to implement the program of lending breeding female calves to former Youth Volunteers members, with 26 calves given to 26 former Youth Volunteers members with special circumstances in 17/25 communes and towns. During the breeding process, the district's Project Management Board also regularly coordinated with the communes in inspection, supervision, organized periodic inspections and opened training classes for members.

Families involved in breeding heifers have also changed the form and technique of raising calves. Many former Youth Volunteers Association members share experiences and are aware of caring for and fattening heifers, considering this an opportunity to “escape poverty” for their families.

The second generation of breeding calves was given to the family of a former Youth Volunteers Association member. Photo: Minh Thai

Through the program, many members have made efforts to escape poverty. A typical example is the family of Mr. Nguyen Van Tham in Chong village, Nghia Yen commune. At the end of 2015, through the Calf Bank program of Thien Tam Fund given to the Association of Former Youth Volunteers, Mr. Tham's family was given a calf. Thanks to diligent care, from a calf over 9 months old, it has now given birth to a 5-month-old female calf and the mother cow is pregnant.

Mr. Nguyen Van Tham, in Chong village (Nghia Yen commune) is one of the households receiving breeding cows to develop livestock farming. Photo: Minh Thai

Ms. Ho Thi Ngoan, in Dong Song village, Nghia Yen commune, is one of the Veteran Youth Volunteers Association members who received the second generation calf this time. Ms. Ngoan excitedly said: "I am very happy that the association cares for me and gives me a breeding calf. I promise to take good care of it so that it can reproduce and help households like ours escape poverty."

Many former Youth Volunteers members have succeeded with the cow bank model supported by Thien Tam Fund. Photo: Minh Thai

After 2 years of receiving calves from the Charity Fund, 26 households of former Youth Volunteers have taken good care of them, 10 cows have given birth, and the mother cows have been transferred to members who want to adopt them. It can be said that this is a practical program, thereby helping to escape poverty sustainably. Mr. Ho Duc Dung - Chairman of the Youth Volunteers Association of Nghia Dan district said: "In the past time, the District Executive Board and the Commune Breeding Cow Program Implementation Board have always grasped and handled well the situations arising in the management of the breeding cow bank. Regularly encourage members to take good care of the received breeding cows. At the same time, strengthen guidance and support for members in care techniques and disease prevention. Thanks to that, the breeding cow herd of former Youth Volunteers has developed well, and people are very assured".