In a significant effort to support local families in need, the Women's Union of Phan Thiet city recently provided financial assistance totaling 55 million VND to four households. This funding aims to help these families build new homes or repair their existing ones, contributing to the city’s broader initiative to improve living conditions for the underprivileged.
The assistance was divided between two households receiving funds for new home construction and two more for necessary repairs. Ms. Nguyen Thi Yen, a near-poor household from Duc Long ward, received 20 million VND, while Ms. Huynh Thi Ngoc Hien, also from a near-poor background in Xuan An ward, was awarded 10 million VND for her new home. Additionally, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh, a poor household from Lac Dao ward, received 15 million VND for home repairs, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh from Duc Long ward will receive 10 million VND in April 2025 for her repairs.
According to the Women's Union of Phan Thiet city, the total financial aid comes from the "Mái ấm niềm tin" (Warm Home of Trust) fund, which has been established through contributions from union members and local benefactors. This initiative aims to provide support to women facing challenging circumstances, enabling them to have a more stable and secure living situation.
Bà Đặng Thị Ngọc Diệu, the President of the Women's Union, expressed the organization’s commitment to helping its members. She stated, "We hope that every bit of support, no matter how small, can help our members stabilize their lives and have a safer home to focus on their work and raise their children." This sentiment underscores the importance of community support in enhancing the living standards of vulnerable populations.
This initiative is part of a larger program aimed at eliminating temporary and dilapidated housing across the region. In the Cai Nuoc district, for example, a total of 363 households are benefiting from a similar program, which includes 275 new homes and additional support for repairs. Local youth have also been actively involved in this effort, forming volunteer teams to assist families in need.
In Cai Nuoc, 11 youth volunteer teams with over 170 members have been mobilized to expedite housing construction for impoverished families. These teams help with various tasks, including dismantling old homes and leveling ground for new constructions. One volunteer, Trần Chí Linh, the Secretary of the Thanh Phu Youth Union, shared, "Our teams coordinate with the local authorities to identify families in need of immediate assistance for their housing conditions. We aim to provide practical support to those who are struggling to build a new home or repair their existing one."
For instance, in the Thanh Phu commune, volunteers assisted a family in dismantling an old house and leveling the ground to prepare for a new construction. Bà Ngô Thị Sen, a recipient of the housing program, expressed her gratitude, saying, "When the local government announced that my family would receive support to build a new house, I was very happy, but I also worried about how to transport the soil needed for leveling. Thankfully, the youth volunteers came to help, and they worked very hard, like family, to get the job done quickly."
In the Phu Hung commune, another innovative approach was taken by the local youth. They not only formed teams to assist with heavy labor but also established a construction team specifically for building homes for poor and near-poor families. Anh Hồ Quốc Trọng, the Secretary of the Phu Hung Youth Union, explained, "Given that we are in the dry season, the demand for housing construction is high, and hiring workers can be challenging. Our youth volunteers have stepped up to take on construction tasks, and we have successfully built several homes to date."
One notable case is that of Bà Ngô Thị Nệ, a 75-year-old woman living in particularly difficult circumstances. With her husband bedridden and her children unable to return home, she faced significant challenges. The youth construction team took on the responsibility of building her house, managing everything from leveling the ground to completing the construction. After nearly ten days of work, her home is now 90% finished and expected to be ready for occupation by the end of April.
Bà Nệ expressed her gratitude, stating, "I am so happy to receive help from the youth volunteers. I thank the local government and the young people who have supported me." This initiative not only provides shelter but also fosters a sense of community and solidarity among residents.
Overall, the efforts by both the Women's Union and the youth volunteers in Cai Nuoc district exemplify the power of community-driven initiatives in addressing housing challenges faced by the poor and near-poor. With nearly 500 working days contributed by the youth, they have played a crucial role in accelerating the construction of homes for those in need.
As these programs continue to unfold, the commitment from local organizations and volunteers demonstrates a collective effort to ensure that every family has a safe and secure place to call home, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of the community.
