The former Youth Volunteer with his plastic piggy bank.

(Baonghean) - With a plastic piggy bank, Mr. Hoang Xuan Mao, Chairman of the Association of Former Youth Volunteers in Dien Thinh commune (Dien Chau district), has helped many of his comrades overcome difficulties and stabilize their lives.

Taking on the role of Chairman of the Veterans Association at the age of 72, he couldn't help but worry about his advanced age and declining health, wondering if he could fulfill the tasks assigned by the local government, especially meeting the expectations of the 103 members. Therefore, he always strived to complete his duties with the belief that: "To keep the members committed to the association's work, we must build trust and provide reliable support for them."

Mr. Mão focused on helping former Youth Volunteers complete the procedures to resolve their entitlements and policies. He personally met with each member to gather information and documents, and advised the Commune People's Committee to submit them to the competent authorities for consideration and resolution. To date, 30 members have been recognized as war invalids, and the rest have all received a one-time benefit as prescribed.

In addition, many former Youth Volunteers in Dien Thinh are facing difficult circumstances, especially three households classified as poor. To help these members overcome poverty, he initiated the "Saving Money in Plastic Piggy Banks" movement, making it the first Youth Volunteer association in Nghe An to implement this initiative.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Mao is researching the regulations and policies for former Youth Volunteers Association members.

Each member family saves a certain amount of money daily in a plastic piggy bank, and every six months they break open the piggy bank to help members in need. In the very first year, the association saved nearly 20 million VND and raised 13 million VND in funds.

With this money, Mr. Mao discussed with his fellow members about lending to three poor households to buy cows. He also coordinated with the Farmers' Association and the Women's Association to facilitate these households' access to loans from the Policy Bank for house repairs. In just two years of assistance, all three poor households have risen out of poverty sustainably, and the association has also eliminated poverty and near-poverty, with 100% of member families achieving the title of "Culturally Advanced Family".

Over the past 8 years since its establishment, the association's fund has reached 124 million VND, helping 35 members borrow money to develop their businesses, elevating them from average to well-off households. Simultaneously, tens of millions of VND have been allocated to provide timely support to members suffering from illness, poor students, and to support charitable and humanitarian activities.

Mr. Mao added: "The activities demonstrating camaraderie stem from the dedication of the officers and members, who understand and consider the suffering of their comrades as their own, as if it were their own family's. Therefore, they have come together to help and care for comrades facing difficulties in life."

In the land consolidation and new rural development movement, Mr. Mão encouraged exemplary members to take the lead. Former Youth Volunteers took on remote fields to expedite the land consolidation process, while also contributing 254 million VND and nearly 2,200 man-days of labor to the new rural development.

Mr. Hoang Xuan Mao has been awarded the "Former Youth Volunteer Following Uncle Ho's Teachings" badge twice by the Central Association of Former Youth Volunteers, and has been nominated twice as a national exemplary advanced model... The Dien Thinh Commune Youth Volunteer Association is not only a shining example within the Dien Chau Former Youth Volunteer Association but is also highly regarded by the Provincial and Central Associations.

Mai Giang(Dien Chau Radio Station)