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One more family among so many...
Alcoholism affects maybe
2/3 of male adults in the villages and at least 10% households
suffer from domestic violence. It is a huge problem in Vietnam
(maybe less in Cambodia). If one counts all the costs and
pains, from the money spent on alcohol, to the damage done to
the property, plus the lost labor... it is a multiple of the
total income of a poor household. Those who could just manage,
then fall into deep poverty.
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Would you talk about the alcoholism of your
husband to a veterinary? Of course not, and this is why Mekong
Plus believes so strongly in a global approach, with
multidisciplinary teams. And before we look at the farm, we
care about the people! Before we act: listen with a lot of
patience. This is the key for efficient action, based on the
participation of all.
N. did not want to talk about it, and still
today she insists not to be photographed, her name should not
to be mentioned. She was married at 19, she has 2 children of
19 and 17. The 12 first years were fine. Then her husband's
brother died and he lost his mind. He started drinking, every
day, often he would beat wife and children, till the middle of
the night. The neighbors did not dare to intervene, so she
would sleep in the pig stall with the children. The children
dropped from school, and the family barely survived with 14
€/month! «This is my entire fault, says N., I could not make
him stop drinking! » Mekong Plus has a plan with her: a
microcredit to raise more pigs. But this scheme will need more
than a veterinary to succeed.
The family of Ms.Hai has only 3000 m2 of land
and basically lives from daily labor on others' farms. Dang,
her husband, was drinking, probably out of despair as there
was no hope in sight. Hai met with Phú, member of Mekong
Plus, and she learned how to make delicious pancakes. She
sells them on the market. Phú also gave her a microcredit of
40 €. Hai's pancakes became a success at the market. Dang was
very happy and felt sorry for his wife who was working so
hard. Little by little he started helping her, with an old
bicycle he did deliveries at various places. Many were happy
in the village, as Dang was not drinking anymore! Encouraged
by their success, Hai and Dang also raised pigs, and rented
more land to grow paddy.
Their family is fine today. The children are
at school, their income has increased substantially, and no
more damages caused by the alcohol!
Quyên, Trinh et Bernard KERVYN, 6th April
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