'Begging Village' with a new approach in resource mobilization

The "horn blowers"

In the teamstaffHamlet 5, Nghi Hung Commune, has 3 key figures who are considered to be the enthusiastic “home-cooked meals, prison-bearers” of the hamlet. Among them, the person who has held this job the longest is Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long, with 22 years as hamlet chief.

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long and Mr. Bui Van Khanh - Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Hamlet 5 arrived almost immediately after receiving the notice that there were guests coming to visit the hamlet's cultural house. Under the proud and detailed introduction of the two hamlet officials, the already spacious cultural house became even more meaningful. Inaugurated in August 2023, the hamlet 5 cultural house is currently voted as the most beautiful cultural house in the commune with a spacious space, a modern high-voltage timer system, a number of cameras have been installed, the road in front of the gate is a spacious and clean flag road. Next to the hall is a sports playground, a garden of thousands of square meters, with an area for volleyball and badminton, and a brand new, sturdy set of outdoor gym equipment.

However, what impressed us the most when we came to this project was the space inside the hall. What caught our eyes were about 150 brand new wooden stools, all in order, the backs of all the chairs were attached with a green plastic sheet with the name printed on it: Thuan Xuan family respectfully presented; Toan family - Mr. Khoa respectfully presented; Hung family (Hoa) respectfully presented... Not only the chairs, below were oil paintings depicting the countryside scenery.Nghi HungThe names of the donating households are also written on the wall.

Introducing each item of the cultural house, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Long proudly shared: “In addition to publicly spending the donations on the bulletin board for people to follow, we also find ways to convert people's donations into visible objects. So every item, from stools to stone benches, from murals to Uncle Ho statues, is associated with a specific individual or group. This detail, although small, makes people very excited.”

According to Mr. Long, in order to be able to clearly and detailedly record all contributions, the core members of the hamlet are all proficient in using computer software such as Word and Excel, even though they are no longer young and have never attended formal training courses.

Sharing more about the "mobilizing" power of the hamlet cadres, Mr. Bui Van Khanh said: "Once we are wholeheartedly devoted to our homeland, we see opportunities everywhere. Not only mobilizing people living in the hamlet, we also mobilize and connect with children far from home, living and working in other provinces and cities, taking advantage of the contributions of children living and working abroad. During the recent trip to Phu Quoc, representatives of the hamlet cadres also visited the homes of the hamlet's children in Kien Giang province, first to visit, then to call for support."

When asked if we are afraid of asking for a lot of money, Mr. Long smiled: “With the mindset of asking for help for the people, we are not afraid. However, asking for too much support, many people jokingly said that Hamlet 5 should change its name to “Begging Hamlet”. That said, the people in the hamlet understand that we always do the best for our homeland, always take advantage of all sources of support from programs and superiors to save the most for the people.”

Talking about the key cadres in her hamlet, Ms. Nguyen Thi Sinh - Head of the Women's Association of Hamlet 5 shared: "Whenever there is a project or event, the hamlet executive committee is always busy and hard-working. Like the day of the cultural house construction, everyone was at the construction site more than at home, sometimes they didn't come home for dinner until 8pm. After finishing the project, everyone was visibly dark and thin. The allowance is small, the work is a lot, the hamlet is large with more than 1,000 people, often having to visit people, if the worker is not dedicated, if the family is not sympathetic, then they cannot take on this responsibility".

Proud to contribute to the common good

In the project of the cultural house of hamlet 5, Mr. Ho Trung Thanh is probably one of the individuals who is far from home but has contributed most enthusiastically. Although he is living and working in Di An, Binh Duong, he sent back to his hometown a bronze statue of Uncle Ho weighing 60kg and 2 large tables and chairs to use in the hall. Not only supporting this project, he also contributed to many other projects of the hamlet, commune, district and is always willing to support when his hometown needs it.

Coming from my hometown, I understand more than anyone the difficulties and hardships of my fellow countrymen and wish to contribute a small part. Being far away and unable to participate directly, I put all my trust in my brothers at home. And indeed, the hamlet committee has done their work with sincerity, enthusiasm, and admirable dedication. They accept hardship and hardship for the common good. Compared to them, my contributions are very small.

Mr. Ho Trung Thanh, resident of hamlet 5

With the willingness to contribute to his homeland, Mr. Thanh also shared that the more he contributes, the more he feels that what he has done for his homeland is very little. Perhaps that is why when asked about the projects he has participated in, he himself could not list them all and did not keep any pictures for himself as souvenirs.

In the spirit of those who have a lot contribute a lot, those who have little contribute a little, and those who have nothing contribute working days, the Executive Committee of Hamlet 5 has mobilized all resources from the people. Every time there is an event or a public construction project, the people of Hamlet 5 enthusiastically participate, each person contributing a hand, happy as if they were going to a festival, happy as if they were working for their own family.

The sense of self-awareness of our neighbors is very high. Any activity that is launched receives enthusiastic response, no one hesitates or complains. This is due, first of all, to the respect and love that the people have for the neighborhood committee, and secondly, to the pride and desire to build a strong homeland. Living in such a community, contributing is not only an obligation but also an honor and pride.

Mrs. Bui Thi Thuy - resident of hamlet 5

Also from the love of homeland, the spirit of dedication, the activities of the associations in the hamlet are stronger, more united. A typical example is the Women's Association of the hamlet. For many consecutive years, the Women's Association of hamlet 5 has been highly appreciated by superiors for the effectiveness of the model "5 no, 3 clean", "Turning waste into health insurance cards", becoming an address to provide flower seeds for communes in the district and earning tens of millions of dong each season.

We highly appreciate the way the Executive Committee of Hamlet 5 mobilizes people's resources. They are not only creative but also very responsible, dedicated, and transparent in implementing their work. Their way of doing things is currently being followed and implemented by other hamlets in the commune to utilize people's resources in building their homeland.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Thanh - Chairman of Nghi Hung Commune People's Committee