By raising pigs to produce black pig sausages, implementing organic gardening models, and establishing a community learning center, the lives of ethnic minority youth have been significantly improved through Plan International's projects in Ha Giang province.

Equipping young people with livelihoods allows them to take charge of their financial well-being

The model of breeding sows has helped Trang Thi Ngoc (pictured right) improve her life and earn more income. Photo: Van Anh

As a member of the project “Promoting economic empowerment for disadvantaged youth in Ha Giang," Nung ethnic group's Chang Thi Ngoc, said that since participating in the project, the goat farming model has brought benefits, bringing income and improving her family life.

"Because in my hometown, I'm only used to growing crops and raising livestock, but I don't have spare money. After accessing information about Plan International Vietnam's project, I was given a breeding goat worth more than VND 2 million (USD 80), then I went to learn from the surrounding houses and sold all the furniture in the house to buy 2 more goats," Ngoc confided.

Ngoc's year-long experiment in breeding sows has borne fruit. After starting with 3 goats in August 2022, she's grown the herd to 9 and sold them for a profit of VND 3 million (USD 120) each.

The breeding model for sows aims to achieve widespread adoption by households like Trang Thi Ngoc. By promoting breeds suited to local environments, the model contributes to hunger eradication, poverty reduction, and stable incomes for participating families.

Empowering young people through vocational training to build fulfilling careers within their communities

Thanks to participation in the project “Better Livelihood for ethnic minority youth", Chang Thi Cham, a Nung ethnic group, accessed the model of making pork sausage from local black pork. After being presented with machinery equipment and molds, Cham started making pork sausage in March 2022.

Cham acknowledges the challenges of sausage-making while emphasizing the need for experimentation to achieve the perfect product.

Nung youth Chan Thi Cham succeeded with the Black Pork Rolls model. Photo: Van Anh

"I tried a lot, failed a lot, did it many times to perfect it. I spent about 3 consecutive months failing at making sausage. At first, the batches of sausage I made looked like bean residue. But thanks to the guidance from the project staff, I retried many times found the formula and did it successfully. I'm a familiar face around here, and thanks to the great community support, I've been successfully selling homemade sausages, even advertised them on Facebook and TikTok, " Cham added.

Cham also participates in training and disseminating knowledge about green skills, gradually transforming into a neglected plot filled with trash and weeds into a thriving vegetable garden. This model not only provides Cham's family with fresh, chemical-free produce but also beautifies the area. It serves as a learning space for other households, fostering knowledge sharing and community development.

Cham said he was happy to learn how to grow his clean vegetables and earn extra income, which helped Cham feel secure at home and not have to worry about finding a job far away.

Since the Community Learning Center was established, the commune's youth has a space to study and live with many diverse activities. Photo: Van Anh

Fostering a space for young people to become self-directed learners

Nan Ma Commune Community Learning Center is a special and meaningful project, especially for the young people here. After two months of construction, in February 2024 the project was completed and put into use.

Ma Thi Cho, from the Nung ethnic group, beams with joy about the newly established community learning center. "There's a space for young people to learn and grow together."

Many locals frequent the center on Sundays, taking advantage of the computers to access information, develop skills, and even learn about parenting and personal development. She eagerly anticipates the addition of more books and resources to the recently inaugurated community living house, further enriching the learning experience for young people.

Ma Thi Cho said that the community learning center has many good books, helping them improve their knowledge and apply it to life. Photo: Van Anh

Since the project's inception, Giang Xuan Dung recalled, a dedicated space for young people to connect and support each other's growth, has been established. This well-equipped facility allows for hosting various events and activities, including reading programs and life skills workshops, empowering young people to thrive. Additionally, plans are underway to promote local products like ginger essential oil, further contributing to economic development.

Breeding sow models, black pig sausage production, organic ecological gardens, and the construction of community learning centers, are the long-term direction planned by Plan International Vietnam deploying to help people in the highlands of Ha Giang escape poverty sustainably.

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