Community Reintegration thanks to Preferential Credit

In order to create favorable conditions for former prisoners to access preferential credit for production, business, vocational training, and job creation to reintegrate into the community, in recent years, VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office (Thanh Hoa) has actively implemented the lending program for ex-prisoners under Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg dated August 17, 2023, issued by the Prime Minister. This credit source not only helps those with a troubled past quickly overcome guilt and inferiority but also enables them to invest in production and business, stabilize their lives, and successfully reintegrate into society.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thuong (fourth from the left) accessed a loan under Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg and successfully developed livestock farming

After completing his sentence and returning to his hometown, Mr. Thuong from Yen Dinh commune always carried feelings of guilt and low self-esteem, afraid of being shunned by others. However, with the love of his family, especially encouragement and support from relatives, he was able to overcome those feelings and determined to start a new life. Thanks to the assistance of local authorities and VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office, he received a loan of USD 4,000. With this loan, he improved land, built livestock shelters, and purchased seeds and breeding stock. Today, he raises more than 300 chickens, breeds cattle, and grows rice, corn, and chili for export, earning over USD 4,000 per year.

Mr. Thuong shared: “Thanks to VBSP’s preferential credit, I was truly encouraged. I used the loan to expand my business and develop a diversified household economy. The bank’s support came at the right time and was extremely valuable, giving me confidence, determination, and motivation to work hard, earn a decent living, and reintegrate into the community”.

Another beneficiary of Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg, Mr. Trinh Duy Dat from Yen Truong commune, was determined to leave his past behind and start over. He said: “In 2018, due to immature thinking and a lack of self-control, I made a mistake in a moment of anger, committed “intentional injury”, and had to serve a 36-month prison sentence. During my time in prison, thanks to vocational training and guidance, I was motivated to reform myself. After returning home, with family support and local authorities’ facilitation, I accessed a loan of USD 4,000 from VBSP. I invested in a mixed farming model. Currently, my household farm raises 300 ducks and 300 chickens, and grows over 100 pomelo, apple, and jackfruit trees. This generates an annual income of more than USD 20,000, helping me overcome inferiority, regain confidence, and strive for a better life”.

Mr. Phung Ba Hong, Director of VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office, shared: “To ensure accurate screening, proper lending, and effective monitoring of loan utilization, our transaction office has closely coordinated with local authorities to build inspection plans. Our staff regularly visit borrowers to provide guidance and ensure that credit is invested in suitable household economic models, aligned with local conditions, and generating real value. Thanks to these efforts, the lending program under Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg has reached an outstanding loan balance of USD 172,000 with 43 borrowers. All beneficiaries have invested in household production, farming, animal husbandry, and services, demonstrating positive spillover effects. Importantly, 100% of loans have been used for the right purposes and proven effective.”

Looking ahead, with the goal of supporting more ex-prisoners in reintegrating into society, VBSP Yen Dinh Transaction Office will strengthen coordination with Party committees, authorities, and police forces at all levels to enhance communication about the purpose and significance of Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg. At the same time, the unit will provide maximum facilitation and support to ensure that ex-prisoners can access credit conveniently and quickly. This effort will help them stabilize their lives, reintegrate into the community, contribute to job creation, and ensure social security and public order in the locality.

Thanh Hue