Bringing joy to poor women.

(Baonghean)Over the years, through various forms of saving in accordance with "Ho Chi Minh's moral example," cadres and members of the Yen Thanh Women's Union have shared and brought joy to poor women in the area.

Located in a low-lying, flood-prone area, the lives of women in Nhan Thanh commune mainly depend on agricultural production. The Women's Union has over 1200 members, organized into 16 branches. To encourage and support women, especially the poor, to have more spirit and determination to improve their lives, create conditions for economic development, and build warm, happy families, the officials and members of the Women's Union of Nhan Thanh commune have unanimously agreed on a policy and included it in the Union's resolution: Each woman contributes from 2000 to 5000 VND/month to a savings fund following the example of President Ho Chi Minh.

Every year on March 8th, the women's association collects their savings and reviews applications to support its members, prioritizing poor women and those in difficult circumstances. Ms. Nguyen Thi Duyen, President of the Women's Union of Nhan Thanh commune, shared: "In implementing the 'Savings Rice Jar' campaign, instead of saving rice, we save money. In total, we accumulate between 35 and 37 million VND per year, helping dozens of poor women in difficult circumstances invest in livestock. In addition, we also save by donating gold, rice, cement, etc. Thanks to this, by the beginning of 2013, the entire association only had 3 poor households..."

The Women's Association of Bac Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district) presented gifts to the family of Ms. Vu Thi Lan (Hamlet 8), who is in difficult circumstances.

Implementing the "Studying and Following the Moral Example of Ho Chi Minh" campaign, 1400 members in 19 women's branches in the mountainous commune of Son Thanh registered to participate in following the example of Uncle Ho, especially in the themes of "diligence" and "frugality". Thanks to the study and guidance, and with a spirit of sharing for poor women, the hamlets divided into many groups to mobilize and contribute, with the smallest group contributing at least 20,000 VND/member/month; the largest group contributing 100,000 VND/member/month, bringing the total savings fund of the entire commune to 117 million VND and helping over 140 women borrow interest-free loans to invest in buying seedlings and livestock to develop production and animal husbandry, and provide for their children's education.

To date, through savings at all levels, women's associations in the district have accumulated nearly 1.3 billion VND; over 4,700 kg of rice and 5,425 man-days of labor, helping 867 member families purchase livestock for breeding, supporting policy beneficiary families, families with particularly difficult circumstances, and those suffering from serious illnesses; building 14 new "shelters of love" and repairing dozens of houses for poor women and single mothers facing housing difficulties.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, Vice President of the Women's Union of Yen Thanh district, said: "Through practical and meaningful actions in following 'Uncle Ho's moral example,' and through empathy and sharing, women's unions at all levels in Yen Thanh continue to create solidarity and mutual support, bringing much joy and assistance to poor women and women with particularly difficult circumstances, helping them rise up in life, promoting the movement of saving money, rice, labor, and expenses in daily life, making following Uncle Ho's example a regular practice and an urgent need for each collective and individual."

Phan Hien (Yen Thanh Radio Station)