VBSP helps people with disability improve income

Visit the household of Tran Van Thanh and Tran Thi Sieng in Quarter 19, Hoa Khanh Nam ward, Lien Chieu district, Da Nang city as people with disability having effort to overcome difficulties, getting better life.

In 1990, Mr. Thanh and Ms. Sieng retired early, living in disadvantaged situation, with low salary, young children, an old cottage. The couple eventually discussed to find a way for living. They did not have either land for production, competence for providing technological services, nor capacity for establishment of an enterprise. Taking consideration over and over again, the couple decided to open a small store at home. Having lack of capital, they filled in procedures to get a loan from VBSP, named Bank for the Poor at that time, and received heartily support and quick response from the bank. For the first loan they got VND 1 million, having repaid in time principal and interest, they were eligible for the next loan of VND 3 million.

With small space for doing business, the invalid couple had to try with various “trading models” in tiredness,  from tobacco, spices to candies, vegetables etc. Getting experiences from doing, the couple realized that fresh goods like vegetables although can bring them higher profit, may easily bring them a loss as it cannot be in storage for long time. If within few days, vegetables are not sold out, revenue might not even cover expense. Consequently, the couple stopped selling fresh goods for groceries. From some necessities for neighborhood, they gradually increased in kind and quantity. From just doing retail at home, they then conducted both retail and wholesale for business partners. Thanks to the prestigious they got, only with a call from the couple, suppliers will deliver goods to them with deffered payment from time to time.

From experiences gained, Mr. Thanh and Ms. Viet see that, when a customer come to their store and get everything they need with regular market price, he/she will come back again and even do word of mouth advertising for their store. Thus, the couple continues to invest in various kinds of goods, at present, the store has more than 500 kinds of goods ranging from foods, plastic domestic facilities, water and electricity devices, alcohol and soda of various brandname etc,.

Being good at doing business, living standard of this family has been improved continuously, not only escaping from poverty but also become a typical household in home economic development. Apart from the nice built house they are living in now, Mr. Thanh and Ms. Sieng have managed to buy 600m² land to build houses for rent and plant fruit trees. Thinking back to early retirement time, the whole family had only one old bicycle, now they have three motorbikes and many other expensive facilities, their two children are both recruited into telecommunication sector, the invalids couple feel proud and satisfied.

The family is also very keen on participating into local community activities, particularly charity and gratitude events.