Along with the work of developing members and building a strong organisation, the Women's Union of An Hai Tay Ward, Son Tra District, Da Nang always pays attention to promoting a wide range of social charity activities.

The ‘Zero-VND convenience store’ model of An My 1 Women's Association in An Hai Tay Ward.

Notably, the ‘zero-VND convenience store’ model, implemented by An My 1A Ward Women's Association since the beginning of 2022, is operating effectively, thus significantly contributing to arousing and educating the spirit of solidarity and sympathy among all women in the ward. At the same time, the model aims to implement the emulation movement ‘Each member, a beautiful gesture - Each association, a meaningful action’ launched by the Da Nang Women's Union.

In order for the model to run effectively with adequate products, women members in residential areas regularly call for households to make donation of used items such as fans, rice cookers, electric stoves, induction cookers, pots and pans; clothes, shoes, and bags and other necessities, according to each monthly and quarterly activity theme.

Upon the reception of items, the Association’s members carefully arrange and preserve them at the centralised location, which is the members' houses with a large yard, good storage conditions before the "store opening" date.

Having just finished ironing and neatly folding her clothes to put them in a large bag, Ms. Le Thi Duyet, a member of An My 1A Women's Association, An Hai Tay Ward, happily said: "We gather whenever the opportunity arises” to collect the used items from families for donation to those living in financially difficult situations. We feel happy doing meaningful things and hope that in the future the association will send more essential items to people. We hope that love will be "collected" and "spread every day" by the union’s members”

The model is organized by the An My 1A Ward Women's Association on the last Saturday of each month or the end of each quarter, depending on the amount of goods, supplies, and necessities donated at public places in the ward for those who have difficult circumstances.

In 2022, the model supported 300 recipients with an estimated total amount of nearly VND20 million. Since the start of 2023, the association has maintained the model regularly. In the first and second quarters, 172 people received support with a total estimated amount of nearly VND10 million.

Funds for implementing the model not only come from generous philanthropies but also from scrap collection and sales to buy additional goods for the model.

To have more stable sources of goods to implement the model, the Association’s members regularly encourage households to donate their good items and utensils for the ‘zero-VND convenience store’ and classify waste at the source.

Every week, the staff members push carts to families to collect the used items, scraps for sales to raise funds, and help protect the environment in the area while also helping the association obtain a source of goods to support difficult member families and poor workers in the area.

The women members of An My 1A residential area have truly established a new ‘life cycle’ for each item and product supported by households to share with those in need.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Van, the Head of the An My 1A Women's Association said: “The mobilization of families to support household items and utensils was launched by the Association very specifically and extensively. Thanks to this, more and more members participate in the model and leave a good social effect”.

Chairman of the Women's Association of An Hai Tay Ward, Nguyen Thuy Hong My Le Dung, added: “Along with other models, the ‘Zero-VND convenience store’ model of An My 1A Women's Association is implemented by member women. It is very effective, multiplying the spirit of solidarity and sharing in the community."

Reporting by LINH CHI - BAO LAM - Translating by A.THU