A new organisation has been set up in Hoa An Village in Cam Le District - the Association of Daughters-in-law of the Nguyen Huu Clan.  The aim is for the Association’s members to share with each other their experiences of being a good daughter-in-law, and to together help its poorest members.

Mrs Pham Thi Tam preparing some baskets of fabric flowers

So far, the Association has 50 members.  Its Head is Mrs Duong Thi My, Vice Principal of the Nguyen Nhu Hanh Primary School in Hoa An Ward, whilst Mrs Pham Thi Tam, Head of Women’s Chapter No 3, is Deputy Head.

The Association’s newest members will be taught about what they should and should not do to build a happy family life, and how to establish a good relationship with their mothers-in-law. 

In addition, all the members are combining their efforts to help those in difficult circumstances.  One example is Mrs Le Thi Sen who has an 18-year-old son with a life-threatening disease.  The Association’s members are taking turns to care for him and are appealing for donations for him.  Last year, around 16 million VND was raised for Mrs Sen’s son, including 3 million VND from the Hoa An Ward People’s Committee.  On this year’s International Women's Day, the Association’s members made and sold fabric flowers which raised more 1 million VND for the boy. 

The members have also agreed to save 2,000 VND each day, and their savings will be used for charitable activities somewhere in the city every 3 months.

Another organisation focusing on promoting family values is the Happy Family Club in Cam Le District’s Hoa Tho Dong Ward.  The Club’s leader is Mrs Nguyen Thi Xuan Hong.

In attempting to attract more local families to participate in the Club’s activities, Mrs Hong has organised many tours for families to go around the city at night, especially to watch the dragon’s head performing at the eastern end of the Rong (Dragon) Bridge. 

The Club’s members are becoming actively involved in several local campaigns.  All member families have been given the title ‘Cultural Family’, and all have registered for the ‘Green House’ model to raise public awareness about enhancing the living environment and minimising the impacts of environmental pollution.

In addition to raising funds to give scholarships to poor local pupils, the Club has set up a turnaround capital group with 12 participants.  Each participant contributes 1 million VND per month to the group.  The total money is then used to help those who are in need of money to either do business, purchase home appliances and study tools for their children, or pay hospital costs.