Soldiers support people's livelihoods

Mr. Ha Van Tan's family in Chai village, Muong Chanh commune, Thanh Hoa province has 9 members of 3 generations, is a poor household in the locality. Before receiving help from the army to develop the economy , Mr. Tan's family worked hard on the fields but still lacked money, and poverty continued to haunt them. Understanding that situation, in 2020, Economic-Defense Group 5 supported Mr. Tan's family with 5 breeding goats, helped build barns, and sent officers to instruct on techniques for caring for and preventing diseases for the goats. Thanks to the companionship and help of officers and staff of Economic-Defense Group 5, Mr. Tan's herd of goats has grown more and more. From the initial 5 goats, after only one year, it has multiplied to 15 goats. Up to now, Mr. Tan's family's herd has produced more than 70 goats. In addition to the goats kept for breeding, Mr. Tan sells them to earn income to cover his living expenses.

Economic - Defense Group 5 provides xoan varieties to people in the project area.

Mr. Ha Van Tan excitedly shared: “At first, I was very worried because I had no experience in raising goats, but thanks to the enthusiastic guidance and help from the officers of the Economic-Defense Group 5 on how to raise goats, the herd of goats developed very well. From the initial results, with the encouragement and support of the Group, my family boldly expanded the model of raising cows, black pigs, chickens, ducks and digging ponds to raise fish, bringing in an average annual income of more than 100 million VND. The income from raising livestock helps the family cover living expenses and buy household items.”

Mr. Tan's family is one of many households in the area that have been supported by the Economic-Defense Group 5 to escape poverty sustainably. Colonel Mai Van Tai, Political Commissar of the Economic-Defense Group 5, said: "Over the years, the unit has implemented many livelihood support programs, helping people develop their household economy such as: Providing goats, cows, pigs, and black chickens; supporting seedlings and production materials; training in farming and livestock techniques and transferring science and technology suitable to local practical conditions. In addition, the Economic-Defense Group 5 also actively participates in building new rural areas, examining and treating diseases, disseminating laws and organizing mass mobilization activities, contributing to building a strong base, building a solid "people's heart position" in the border area".

Many models help people effectively

Not only focusing on supporting the livelihoods of families, from 2021 to now, Economic-Defense Group 5 has organized training and guidance on forestry planting and care techniques for nearly 1,000 households. The unit provided more than 800,000 seedlings to plant more than 50 hectares of border belt forests, protective forests and production forests. Implementing the sustainable poverty reduction program in the project area, Economic-Defense Group 5 has supported more than 700 households in 8 communes in the project area with 225 breeding crossbred cows, 135 breeding buffaloes, and 666 native black pigs. In addition, Economic-Defense Group 5 also supports plant varieties and agricultural materials for cultivation on an area of ​​86 hectares of fruit trees such as jackfruit, mango, sweet orange, etc.

Economic - Defense Group 5 cooperated with local authorities to open literacy classes for people in border areas.

In particular, social security work is also focused on. Economic-Defense Group 5 adopts 5 children and supports 30 students with especially difficult circumstances, helping them continue to go to school, strive to excel in their studies and training. Every year, the unit organizes 3 to 4 classes to eliminate illiteracy and prevent re-illiteracy for ethnic minorities, each class has 30-35 students.

With creative approaches, suitable to local practical conditions, Economic-Defense Group 5 has implemented many effective models; notably the "Solidarity Flag Road" model, which hangs the national flag on the roads, creating a spacious landscape and connecting the community. The "Flower Road" and "Village Cultural Volleyball Court" models beautify the environment and create playgrounds for young people. "Solar Power Road" brings light to villages without grid electricity. "Volunteer Saturdays and Sundays" help build roads, clean the environment, take care of plants, etc. These models not only help improve the living environment, enhance cultural and spiritual life, but also create a healthy community living space, strengthen military-civilian ties, and build united and strong villages.

According to Mr. Trinh Van The, Secretary of the Muong Lat Commune Party Committee, the practical activities of Economic-Defense Group 5 have significantly contributed to reducing the poverty rate in the area from 54.47% (in 2020) to 28.36% (in 2025). The specific activities of Economic-Defense Group 5 not only bring about socio-economic efficiency but also contribute significantly to building a solid national defense posture.

Article and photos: HUY CUONG

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    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/chinh-sach-phat-trien/ho-tro-sinh-ke-dem-no-am-ve-dong-bao-vung-bien-844186