Humane Policies and Homes on the Path out of Poverty in Ca Mau

In Ca Mau Province, with the concerted efforts of local Party committees, authorities, VBSP, and grassroots police forces, preferential credit has reached the right beneficiaries, enabling many households to gradually overcome hardships, stabilize their livelihoods, develop sustainable income-generating activities, and reduce the risk of reoffending after reintegrating into the community.

Officers of Vinh My Commune Police, together with members of the grassroots force participating in the protection of security and public order, visited Mr. Nguyen Van L.E.'s pig farming model, which has generated sustainable economic returns

From a Small Sewing Machine

Ca Mau Provincial Police directed police units in communes, wards and townships to proactively identify individuals who had completed their prison sentences or received special amnesty and returned to their local communities. In coordination with relevant agencies, they advised local Party committees and authorities on implementing the Government’s preferential credit policy. Beyond their responsibilities for supervision and community education, grassroots police officers also assisted eligible borrowers in completing loan applications and connected them with VBSP, enabling them to access concessional loans for production and business activities at an early stage.

Behind every disbursed loan lies the dedication of grassroots police officers who work closely with local communities and understand the circumstances of each household. They recognize that successful community reintegration requires not only determination but also timely opportunities and reliable initial support.

In Bac Lieu Ward, Ms. Huynh Ng.Tr. is among the typical beneficiaries who accessed preferential credit after completing her prison sentence. Upon returning home, her family faced considerable financial hardship, lacking the capital needed to restore production and generate a stable income. Following a local assessment, the ward police assisted her in obtaining a VND 30 million (approximately USD 1,150) preferential loan from VBSP.

With the loan, Ms. Tr. purchased equipment for her tailoring business and opened a small coffee shop at her home to supplement the family’s income. Through hard work and the effective use of the loan, her business gradually became stable and her household’s financial situation steadily improved. The steady sound of her sewing machine each day has become a symbol of resilience and determination to rebuild her life through honest work.

Also in Bac Lieu Ward, Ms. Tang H.D. received a VND 50 million (approximately USD 1,900) preferential loan to open a small grocery store combined with a modest eatery. Although modest in scale, the business suited her family's circumstances well. By diligently managing the business and making effective use of the loan, her household gradually achieved greater financial stability, generated additional income, and created employment opportunities for family members. More importantly, these positive changes helped her overcome feelings of self-consciousness, regain confidence, reintegrate into the community, and actively participate in local activities.

Lieutenant Colonel Trinh Thanh Du, Deputy Chief of Bac Lieu Ward Police, said: "Our unit proactively reviews the circumstances of every individual who has completed a prison sentence and works closely with VBSP and mass organizations to assist them in completing loan applications. Experience has shown that when timely support is provided, many beneficiaries confidently invest in production and business activities, stabilize their livelihoods, and comply well with local regulations. This is also an important measure to prevent reoffending while helping maintain security and public order in the locality".

A Father's Journey to Rebuild His Life

While the stories in Bac Lieu Ward demonstrate the initial impact of the policy, the experience of Mr. Nguyen Van L.E. in Vinh My Commune provides compelling evidence of the transformative power of preferential credit.

With a large family to support and no agricultural land of his own, Mr. L.E. faced numerous challenges after completing his prison sentence and returning to his hometown. Understanding his circumstances, Vinh My Commune Police assisted him in obtaining a VND 30 million (approximately USD 1,150) preferential loan to lease farmland for crop cultivation and develop a small-scale livestock farming business.

With access to preferential credit, Mr. L.E. worked tirelessly to build a livelihood suited to his family's conditions. Recognizing both the effectiveness of his investment and his determination to improve his life, the commune police continued to coordinate with VBSP to secure an additional VND 80 million (approximately USD 3,070) preferential loan, enabling him to expand his production model.

Today, his farming business has become stable, generating an annual income of approximately VND 70-80 million (around USD 2,700-3,100) each year. His family's living conditions have improved significantly, and all five of his children are now able to attend school.

Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Nguyen Van L.E. shared emotionally: "When I first returned home, I constantly struggled with feelings of guilt about my past and worried about how I would support my five young children. Thanks to the guidance of the commune police, I was able to access a preferential loan to develop my family's production activities. After the business proved successful, I received additional financing to expand it. Today, our lives are much more stable, and my family has regained confidence and hope for the future".

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Mau, Chief of Vinh My Commune Police, in addition to carrying out their responsibilities for supervision and community education, the commune police regularly assess the circumstances of each individual to recommend appropriate support measures.

"The preferential credit policy under Decision No. 22 has enabled many people with the determination to rebuild their lives to access financial resources for economic development. When people have stable jobs and sustainable incomes, the likelihood of reoffending declines significantly, thereby contributing to maintaining security and public order at the grassroots level".

Loans that Restore Hope

In practice, the preferential credit programme implemented under Decision No. 22 has provided far more than financial assistance. It has restored hope and empowered people who have completed their prison sentences to rebuild their lives through honest work.

Behind every successful livelihood model and every household gradually escaping poverty stands the unwavering commitment of grassroots police officers. Beyond their responsibilities for supervision, education and community reintegration, they have worked tirelessly to identify eligible beneficiaries, assist them in completing loan applications, coordinate with VBSP on loan disbursement, and regularly monitor and encourage borrowers to use the loans effectively and for their intended purposes. Through these efforts, the grassroots police force has become a vital bridge, bringing the Party’s and the State’s social policies to those who need them most.

The sewing machines continue to hum, small family-run shops welcome more customers each day, and livestock farming models continue to expand. These may seem like ordinary scenes, yet they vividly demonstrate the tangible impact of a policy grounded in compassion and inclusion.

Each preferential loan represents not only financial support but also an opportunity for families to escape poverty, stabilize their livelihoods, and build a better future. For many people who once lost their way, these loans have restored confidence, reaffirmed their sense of self-worth, and inspired them to move forward with renewed determination.

At the same time, the programme has contributed to reducing the risk of reoffending, strengthening security and public order at the grassroots level, and fostering safer, more inclusive and sustainable communities. It stands as a powerful example of how preferential credit can promote not only economic development but also social cohesion and human dignity.

Trong Nghia