The key to "escape poverty" of former members of the Youth Volunteers Association of 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, organizing periodic inspections and opening training courses for members.

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

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 female calf 5 months old and the mother cow is pregnant.

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

Ms. Ho Thi Ngoan, in Dong Song village, Nghia Yen commune, is one of the members of the Veterans Association who received the second generation calf this time. Ms. Ngoan excitedly said: "I am very happy that the association cares about 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 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 very 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 cows of the former Youth Volunteers have developed well, and people are very assured".