He ignited the flame of passion in women in the highlands.

Bringing joy to those less fortunate.

Over the years, the image of the women members of the Tam Thai Commune Women's Association working together to plant, harvest, and dry rice to help Ms. Kha Thi Hoai Oc (born in 1981) and her children has become familiar to the people of Can village (Tam Thai commune, Tuong Duong district).

Among those familiar figures, Ms. Vi Thi Hiep, the Chairwoman of the Women's Association of the commune, is highly regarded for her resourcefulness, enthusiasm, and willingness to take on the most challenging tasks. For over 13 years, from her role as a Front Committee official to her role as a Women's Association official, she has treated Ms. Oc and her children as if they were family.

Women members of the Women's Association in Tam Thai commune, Tuong Duong district, work together to harvest crops to help disadvantaged families in the commune. Photo: Provided by the community.

Ms. Oc has a rather difficult situation, having been born with disabilities unlike her peers. In her forties, she became a single mother raising two disabled children. Understanding her hardship, Ms. Hiep has organized numerous fundraising and support activities for Ms. Oc's family over the years. To date, the total amount of money and gifts given to her has exceeded ten million dong.

Along with that, Ms. Hiep and other women's association members in the commune always stand by and support Ms. Oc and her children in farming, house repairs, and selling agricultural products. Amidst the hustle and bustle, perhaps that is a rare joy that allows Ms. Oc to temporarily forget the hardships in her life. She considers it a support system that helps her and her children stand up and rebuild their lives after losses and misfortunes.

Ms. Vi Thi Hiep (born in 1989, second from the right) - President of the Women's Union of Tam Thai commune, Tuong Duong district, presents a gift to support Ms. Kha Thi Hoai Oc (Can village, Tam Thai commune). Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Receiving the same special attention, Vi Thi Huyen Trang, a third-grade student at Tam Thai Primary School, found the protective embrace of her "second mother," Vi Thi Hiep. Trang has a rather special situation, suffering from a heart condition since birth, with weak health and a great need for maternal care. Yet, even that small wish could not come true as she was orphaned at a young age.

Since her mother's death, Trang has lost her innocent charm, and her studies have suffered significantly. With the heart of a mother, Ms. Hiep has cared for and guided her through the most difficult times. At the same time, she encouraged the women's association to adopt Trang as a goddaughter, mobilizing social resources to support her in life and studies. Now, she has someone to share her joys and sorrows at school, someone to comfort her during afternoons when she misses her mother, and her birthdays are warmer with cakes filled with love. She is no longer alone, because she has Ms. Hiep and the other women and friends in the women's association where she lives.

Thanks to the effective efforts of Ms. Vi Thi Hiep, the "Rice Savings Jar" model has been enthusiastically participated in by many women's association members in Tam Thai commune, creating a stable fund to support many disadvantaged women and children in the area. Photo: Thanh Quynh

At 34 years old, with over 10 years of dedicated work at the grassroots level as Vice Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee and 3 years as Chairwoman of the Women's Association of the commune, Ms. Vi Thi Hiep has left her mark on the hearts of the people by becoming a pillar of support for many unfortunate lives here. Without ostentation or fanfare, Ms. Hiep quietly does these things with the hope of alleviating the hardships present in the lives of people who are already disadvantaged and isolated from modern life.

A breath of fresh air in the work of the Women's Union and the women's movement.

Actively seeking funding from organizations and individuals both within and outside the locality to create a fund for charitable activities is an innovative approach that Vi Thi Hiep has implemented over the past three years as the Chairwoman of the Women's Association of Tam Thai Commune.

Following her efforts to make the local women's movement more effective, Ms. Vi Thi Hiep (far right) has received numerous certificates of merit and commendations from the Women's Union at various levels. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

For example, on the evening of April 13th, the villagers were extremely excited to participate in a meaningful cultural program organized by Ms. Vi Thi Hiep and members of the Women's Association Executive Committee of the commune, aimed at raising funds to help orphaned children in difficult circumstances in the area. With the enthusiastic participation of the villagers and association members, 20 million VND was raised at the program. This was the 5th program organized in the commune with enthusiastic support from the people.

Through cultural and artistic programs organized by the Women's Association of Tam Thai commune, many underprivileged children have received meaningful encouragement. Photo: Provided by the organizers.

In addition to her innovative fundraising activities, Ms. Hiep is also a pioneer in supporting members in building economic models. Accordingly, she proposed that the People's Committee of the commune provide 11 million VND to implement the livelihood model "Growing male papaya trees for flowers" at the Cay Me village branch with 0.4 hectares. She also implemented a corn cultivation model at the Xoong Con branch with an area of ​​0.5 hectares; and a model for renovating and planting new bamboo at the Na Tong branch, with 64 members participating and an area of ​​over 1 hectare.

These models have achieved significant results, helping women in the area diversify their livelihoods. Some branches that have successfully developed economic models have even maintained effective savings programs, such as the Can village branch with 19 million VND and the Cay Me village branch with 28 million VND, enabling 11 members to access loans. As a result, many members have escaped poverty sustainably. For example, in 2022, the poverty rate in Tam Thai commune decreased by more than 5% and the near-poverty rate decreased by 1.31%. The majority of households that escaped poverty or near-poverty are families of women members.

The cassava cultivation model implemented by women's association members in Tam Thai commune helps increase income on difficult-to-cultivate, steep hillside land. Photo: Provided by the contributor.

Bidding farewell to the affectionate land of Tam Thai, Ms. Lo Thi Kim Oanh - Vice President of the Women's Union of Tuong Duong district - shared her feelings, saying that it was the compassionate and humane actions of Ms. Vi Thi Hiep that inspired the branches and people in the community to unite and participate in the activities of the Women's Union.

With her innovative approach to work, Ms. Vi Thi Hiep is a model Women's Union official in Tuong Duong district, despite her young age. Her contributions have not only helped local people overcome difficulties but have also changed society's perception of the role of women in life.

Thanh Quynh