Elderly people in Luong Dien (Cam Giang) do many good deeds and useful things.

These days, members of the Intergenerational Self-Help Club in Dong Giao village meet often to discuss volunteer work in and outside the province, helping people affected by storms and floods. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hanh Hong, the club's chairwoman, said that recently, members have donated and mobilized social resources to organize two relief groups, giving gifts to people in My Xa village, Minh Tan commune (Nam Sach) and Bai Duong village, Tuy Loc commune (Yen Bai city). The gifts include essential items such as water, instant noodles, seasoning powder, milk, cooking oil, especially supplements for the elderly and books for students. Club members go to the place to give gifts to people in difficult circumstances who need help. In addition, the club also supported 2 million VND for a family in the village whose roof was blown off.

The Dong Giao Village Intergenerational Self-Help Club was established in July 2023, based on the Folk Dance Club of the Elderly in the village. Up to now, the club has 70 elderly members. The above volunteer activities are part of the club's "Golden Heart" program. Previously, the club organized 2 volunteer activities, giving gifts to 10 disabled children and 17 people over 80 years old in the village; cleaning the martyrs' cemetery, the tomb of Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, village roads, alleys, communal house yard, pagoda... In Dong Giao village, there is currently an old woman named Vu Thi Soi (81 years old) living alone. The club always assigns members to care for, talk to, encourage her spirit, and clean the house to help her.

Not only spreading charitable activities, the Dong Giao Village Intergenerational Self-Help Club has also built a cohesive group, actively participating in practicing to improve health and spiritual life. Since its establishment, except for rainy days, every night the club members gather in the communal house yard to practice. “We currently know more than 40 dance, singing, and gymnastic songs. All members know them all. Not only do we practice to improve health, but we also perform on holidays, Tet, and anniversaries in the village and the whole commune. Whenever possible, the club also organizes exchanges inside and outside the province,” Ms. Hong shared.

When it was established, the Dong Giao Village Intergenerational Self-Help Club was sponsored with a blood pressure monitor, a health scale, a notebook, and 45 million VND. Executive Committee members were trained in the skills of using the above equipment. From the 45 million VND sponsored, the club has now developed a fund of 110 million VND, lending to livestock and small-scale business members to develop their economy and improve their lives.

Talking about the joy of participating in the Intergenerational Self-Help Club, Ms. Pham Thi Diem (65 years old), a club member, said: “Every evening at 7 pm, we practice together, not only to keep fit but also to have fun and refresh our spirits. Seeing my mother and the grandparents in the village happy and healthy, my children all enthusiastically support, encourage and assist me in joining the club.”

Last July, the Dong Giao Village Intergenerational Self-Help Club celebrated its first anniversary. Mr. Vu Huu Thinh, Head of Dong Giao Village, said: “The club’s activities are not only beneficial to the elderly but also spread the spirit of community and mutual love in the locality. Storm No. 3 knocked down a tree in the communal house yard, and the club also sent healthy members to help the village clean up. This action helps the young generation in the village see the spirit of community solidarity of the elderly, and learn from it.”

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The Provincial Association of the Elderly is coordinating with localities to implement the Project to replicate the model of Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs in the province for the period 2021 - 2025 approved by the People's Committee of Hai Duong province and the Project "Supporting disadvantaged elderly people through replicating Intergenerational Self-Help Clubs in Vietnam - Phase 2" in Hai Duong province (Project VIE085) funded by HelpAge International in Vietnam (referred to as HAI).

Up to now, the province has established 148 clubs, creating useful playgrounds and spiritual support for many members of the Elderly Association in the area.