Effectiveness of loan capital in Cam Muon

(Baonghean)For a commune like Cam Muon (Que Phong district), where over 60% of households are poor, improving living standards and fostering economic development for its members is a constant concern for the Women's Union. The Union focuses on mobilizing entrusted loan funds to support women in production and business, gradually building their economic foundations and helping them escape poverty.

Ms. Lang Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the Women's Association of the commune, said that the commune has nearly 600 members in 12 branches, mainly women of the Thai and Khmu ethnic groups. With limited arable land, the lives of these women's families are very difficult and impoverished. Therefore, ensuring that members use their capital effectively is always a concern. In response to this situation, the Association has organized 60 training sessions on family economic development for over 1,000 members, and has also introduced successful models of using loan capital in the commune for members to learn from. Furthermore, the Association has coordinated with the village committees of 12 hamlets to help dozens of families in particularly difficult circumstances receive support in terms of seeds, livestock, and knowledge to develop supplementary occupations. Through these efforts, in addition to establishing a savings and credit fund, the Association currently manages nearly 5 billion VND from the Social Policy Bank, providing loans to 243 members. Upon evaluation, 90% of the women who received loans used the funds for their intended purpose and effectively.

Previously, Ms. Vi Thi Viet's family (from Na Cho village) faced extreme hardship. "Necessity is the mother of invention," so she couldn't expand her production or livestock farming due to a lack of capital. A few years ago, through the Women's Union of the commune, she borrowed over 10 million VND to start a business. With the money, she invested in buying Muscovy ducks to raise. Since then, she has sold many batches, repaid both the principal and interest to the Women's Union fund, acquired household amenities, and gradually improved her family's life. Similarly, Ms. Lu Thi Than in Mong 2 village borrowed capital to raise sows. Thanks to learning from the experience of others, her three sows have given birth to many litters safely and quickly. Not only has she repaid the principal, but she has also earned enough profit to pay off her previous debt.

Ms. Lang Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the Women's Association of Cam Muon commune (Que Phong district), guides members on how to use loan capital.

Many women have borrowed capital to develop supplementary occupations and improve their income, such as weaving brocade, cultivating mulberry trees and raising silkworms, and raising poultry, with positive results. Typical examples include Ms. Lo Thi Than and Ms. Vi Thi Diep in Mong 3 village, Ms. Lan and Ms. Dai in Mong 2 village, and Ms. Vi Thi Hoai in Pha Phat village. For those women who borrowed capital but lacked business ideas, the Women's Union of the commune, in coordination with the village committee, discussed solutions, shared experiences, and provided guidance on livestock farming and production techniques.

Currently, the entire Cam Muon commune has 3,700 buffaloes and cows, 850 goats, nearly 4,000 pigs, 12,000 ducks, and over 20,000 chickens, all raised by households headed by women. Mr. Lu Thanh Binh, Chairman of the Commune People's Committee, said: “Although we still face many difficulties in helping households escape poverty, the Women's Union has helped hundreds of households here improve their lives through loans. This has had a positive impact on the commune's efforts to encourage people to abandon gold mining in Pu Huong and return to family businesses. These achievements of the Women's Union are highly commendable.”

Text and photos: Viet Long