EDUCATION
Since 2003 Thiên Chí has focused on the extremely
poor, initially only by supporting the
education of their children. The primary schools choose the
poorest 2% of their pupils, who must be also hard working people.
The proposed list excludes children of teachers or civil servants.
The list is then checked by the People's Commitee, and by the village
workers who have worked with Thiên Chí for many years and know the
villages perfectly well. Today Thiên Chí supports the education
of about 1500 children, in primary and secondary schools. They receive
300.000 VND in 2 installments: in October and in February.
HEALTH
Thiên Chí is however keen to find a more permanent
solution with these households. Often one or more members are chronically
sick, which prevents them from working. Or their treament is a constant
and huge drain on the limited financial resources of the family.
Thiên Chí checks whether a proper diagnosis has been made: often
this is not the case. Unfortunately unscrupulous doctors take sometimes
advantage of the poorest. Thiên Chí has built good relations with
a few committed medical experts in Hô Chí Minh City, who can give
a second opinion. Thiên Chí bears the cost of this and provides
the money for public transport.
If expensive treatment is required, Thiên Chí visits
the community & helps it to mobilize its resources to assist
the family. Thiên Chi provides the complement.
ECONOMIC
SUPPORT
For all households who have a little piece of land
or who can raise rabbits, pigs etc. Thiên Chí provides:
- a short practical training, as well as site visit of a similar
farmer nearby
- community mobilization, for instance to help build a pig stall
- an interest free loan of up to 800.000 VND; the second loan
may be of 1.500.000 VND
- regular technical support, for instance a weekly visit by one
of the para vets trained by Thiên Chí.
One observes:
- 100% refund rate of all loans; in case of economic failure,
Thiên Chí will reduce the debt or allow a longer repayment period
- income increases by 20% or more within 1 year
- Thiên Chí "invests" approximately 1.500.000 VND, but
household income increases by 1.950.000 VND.
HOUSING
In many cases the housing conditions are so poor,
it is just natural the people are often sick. The community is mobilized
to help the family build a new small house of approximately 30m2.
The community pays half, Thiên Chí the other half, usually 4000.000
VND. |
One of the 1600 households followed
by Thiên Chí. Yearly income:
80 euros/person/year.
|
