Long My, in the Mekong delta. Father Nhân had less than a hectare of paddy, and water is salty and ferruginous in the area, thus allowing very low yields. His only way to survive was to work for other farmers as a daily labor. His 2 sons married and father Nhân divided his plot in parcels. Of course no one could cope with so little: 7 to 8 euros per person per month... small leaky huts with 2-3 pieces of furniture. Surrounded by filthy backwater, the only source of water for washing dishes, bathing…
They had to try something else: flowers for Têt (the Vietnamese new year). They bloomed too early in 2006, and profits were dismal. The 2007 harvest was a lot better.

Thành, director of our Hâu Giang program: «We wanted to help them. First technical advice for the maximum yield, and so that each plant could give 2 flowers. Then we provided also microcredit so that they could do more. The weather last year was not excellent, this year again the rains were not timely. But in spite of this the profits were double compared to last year».

Father Nhân watching...