Tinh Thuong One member Limited Liability Microfinance Institution (TYM) does not only assist loans for poor women to improve their economic standard but also, as member of a family, share spiritual difficulties with them.
OFFICERS SELLING GIFT VOUCHERS
Among 49 TYM’s members at the group 15, Cua Nam district, Nam Dinh city, most of them are poor, or near poor, living based on small business and jobs as drilling and cutting concrete. When TYM’s officers inform about a center meeting to give loan, all the group are excited for the news.
Mrs. Ngo Thi Nga, the Manager of TYM Branch of My Loc district, Nam Dinh province, said: “in My Loc Branch there are more than 1,500 members. 25 % of them are poor households with poverty certificate. The rest are near-poor households. Each time of visiting the disadvantageous families, and seeing their slums and hard living situation, we do want to support them something more, not just providing loans”.
In the past Lunar New Year, TYM Branch of My Loc district has taken the initiative to encourage officers to sell tickets to collect money to buy gifts for its poor members. Mrs. Ngo Thi Loan, an officer of My Loc branch, recalled: On January 7th of the Lunar New Year, the TYM offciers came to Vieng market to sell gift vouchers for good luck, gaining money for gifts to the poor members. After 2 days of selling tickets, everyone was tired but excited about the revenue gained. The amount was more than VND 1.5 million, together with the contribution of the officers of branch at VND 1.9 million. The total amount was enough to buy 12 gifts to be given to 12 poor members in the new year visits.
Mrs. Ngo Thi Nga said: The cash value was not big. However, when receiving these gifts, the members could not help falling into tears. Hence, the fatigue of TYM officers was dissolved and replaced by happy and meaningful smiles.
HOLDING HANDS TO BUILD A WARM SHELTER
In Nam Dinh province there are branches of TYM in 7 out of 10 districts with more than 9 thousand members. The TYM branch of My Loc district has built five shelters for extreme poor members, or single women or affected by Orange Agent/Dioxin women.
In addition to support loans for poor women to develop economy, TYM is always interested in the comprehensive development of spiritual life for participating women, sharing with them difficulties in life through social activities. In 2012, TYM successfully organized the program of Tinh Thuong shelter at the provinces with the support of the majority of women and officers. 20 families of poor members, especially difficult in housing, has been supported each with VND 30 million. In 2013, TYM has deployed a new loan – policy loan supporting policy households with a preferential interest rates. At the same time, TYM continues supporting loans for women with “HIV”, or living with, affected by HIV/AIDS.
* The TYM branches at over 40 districts of 10 provinces /cities have organized visits to members during Tet holiday. During the visits, they gave gifts to 200 members and 20 Vietnamese hero’s Mothers with a total value of VND 110 million under the program ” Welcoming warm Tet with TYM” – one of the activities towards the poor of the TYM aiming at supporting families with difficult situations to welcome a nice spring.
(Source: Vietnam Women Newspaper on March 11 2013, Reporter H.Hoa )