Initial results of loans from Supporting Fund for Poor Women in Suoi Da commune

Since March, 2008, the commune WU has been disbursed an amount of 300,000,000VND from the Supporting Fund for Poor Women (the Central WVU) with a concessionary interest rate of 0.65%/month to release loans to poor women to develop production activities, contributing in hunger elimination & poverty alleviation. This fund has been disbursed to 100 members with the term of 24 months and invested in noodle making, pig raising and running small business. The loan size is 3 millions VND/member.

After 1 year, the loans have been used for the right and appropriate purposes and brought in benefits. The interest payment and saving have been collected in time. There are some typical families such as: Families of Ms. Nguyen Thi Het in Phuoc Hoa hamlet, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phi in Ta Dinh 2 hamlet,Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Lan of Phuoc Loi 1 hamlet who have been able to earn from 1.2 million – 1.5 millions per month. More importantly, to date, the life of 100 women members in Suoi Da commune has been remarkably improved and there are no children drop out. Women are enjoying a harmonious & non-violent life and very active in participating the activities and movements of the WU as well as of the locality.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hien, President of Suoi Da WU said: “with 3 millions VND lent by the WU, they were able to use it effectively, to manage to pay the monthly interest and practice saving from 20,000 – 300,000VND per month. Having a stable income from production activities, they are getting more and more confident”.

Through loan activities, the commune WU could attract the participation of its members and women in the commune to WU’s meetings. The commune WU also conducted communication activities o­n the Party’s policies and VWU’s directions. 91 meetings to provide information about the Law o­n prevention of trafficking in women and children, Law o­n Road traffic, Law o­n Gender equality, the issues of food safety, women and children health care…were organized for 2,040 turns of people. Particularly, these meetings had been also attended by men.

Leaving Suoi Da, we feel secured about the fund invested in this commune. We also hope that there are more and more poor women to be provided loans to develop household economy and improve their life.