“Having experiences of being in charge for the community, I am more confident than ever. If there is such another project, I firmly believe I can do it!”
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Being a single mom with congenital disabilities in her legs and eyes, Ms. Nguyen Thi Phu (Cao Canh Village, Cao Quang commune, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province) overcame her shyness and timidity and successfully completed her work as the supervisor for villagers participating in cash for work activity under the Central Flooding Emergency Response implemented by Oxfam in Vietnam and Hatinh Centre for Community Development with support from the Dutch Relief Alliance Fund under the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In a dazzling afternoon in Cao Canh village, Cao Quang commune (Tuyen Hoa, Quang Binh), it is easy to spot the small smiling woman Nguyen Thi Phu, a field monitor of the cash for work activity who is enthusiastically engaging with other participants in her village.
"Morning shift starts from 7-11am and afternoon shift is from 2 to 5pm every day. While other participants are working, I monitor and complete the timesheet for them." Ms Phu shared about her work.
Ms. Phu help monitor and complete timesheets for other participants
As a single mother raising two children and having congenital disabilities in her legs and eyes, Ms. Phu was selected to join the cash for work activity with 35 other households in Cao Quang village, most of whihch are heavily affected by the 2020 floods, living in poverty witha single-headed female, people with disability, or of ethnic minorities.
"Before the project started, HCCD staff announced that it was necessary to have a local field monitor to support cash for work activity. That morning, all the households in the program had a meeting to discuss and vote. Deeming this job is suitable for me due to less physical work, 100% of the people there unanimously voted for me". Ms. Phu excitedly recalled.
"But the work is harder than it sounds. Other households can take turns to work and take time off. But I would not (take any days off), as I try to complete the daily timesheet right and fair so everyone can receive money per their rights efforts. Tired at times, but happy to work with my neighbourhood." Ms.Phu smiled.
In just a few days, the reparation and upgrading of Cao Canh village's smalle road will be completed, making it easier and less time-consuming for the villagers to go to crop fields. But this new road is not the only change that the cash for work activity brings to the locality.
Participants in the programme "Cash-for-work" activity at Cao Canh Village
"When first selected as a supervisor, I thought it was too difficult and doubted myself if I could do it. Difficulty in mobility keeps me afraid of communicating and socialising", recalles Ms. Phu. "I was scared.... and asking over and over again if the head of the village - Mrs. Hang - thought I can make it. She positively encouraged I could do it and affirmed my ability. She also advised me to ask for instruction and support whenever it gets difficult. I thereby took the chance and became more confident."
Timely supported by local officials, from a shy and reserved person, Ms. Phu boldly undertook the work as a local group leader for the first time among 40 years of her life. Knowing that her legs were weak, her walking was difficult, the local officials came down to her house to assist her in traveling to the sit. "I strongly felt like I must try my best for the staff's enthusiasm and the trust of other villagers," Ms. Phu grins.
As a mountainous commune that is particularly difficult to access due to the surrounding rocky terrain, Cao Quang faces more difficulties than other communes in Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province in recovering from the historic floods and storm in October 2020. The cash for work program of the DRA-funded emergency response project implemented by Oxfam in Vietnam and HCCD has successfully paved ways for local people to rebuild their lives with their own capacity, and at the same time, created jobs and income for them to restore essential livelihood assets.
"Thanks so much to the project. We now can both have money and a nice road to go to production areas. At home, we also received unconditional cash, women dignity hygiene kits, water tanks, buckets... and are well-trained to wash our hands, practised personal hygiene, safe water storage, and prevent Covid-19 risks. Every activity is necessary!" said Ms. Phu.
"Having experiences of being in charge for the community, I am more confident than ever. If there is such another project, I firmly believe I can do it!" (laugh)
Cao Quang, Tuyen Hoa, Quang Binh, April 2021