In Me hamlet, Yen Chau commune, the harvest season has just ended. As usual, after each harvest, every member of the local Women’s Union brings a small bag of rice to contribute to its “Jar of Loving Rice.”

Me Thi Sum, a resident of Me hamlet, shared: “My family isn’t well-off, but I always volunteer to contribute some rice to help households in need. When the harvest is good, I give more; when it’s modest, I give less - usually from one to five kilograms each time. Though it’s not a large amount, it comes from the heart - a way for us to encourage and share with less fortunate women and families in our hamlet.”

Touched by the heartfelt gifts from her fellow villagers, Lu Thi Xieng, a single mother in the hamlet, said emotionally that during the Lunar New Year or at the end of the year, receiving rice contributed by other women makes her feel truly grateful and warm inside. It’s a great source of encouragement that helps her overcome hardship.

In Chieng Hac commune, the “Jar of Loving Rice” model has also been implemented for many years. Ha Thi Diem, Chairwoman of the commune Women’s Union, said the union has eight chapters practicing the ‘Jar of Loving Rice’ model, mainly in highland and remote hamlets far from the commune centre. In addition to supporting poor members, the programme also provides rice to families of revolutionary contributors, and to households affected by natural disasters or fires.

Over the past five years, the model has collected nearly 750 kilograms of rice, supporting 11 members, six policy beneficiary families, and 30 lonely elderly people. It has also contributed nearly 2,000 workdays and 1,300 bundles of firewood to support these families.

In recent years, the provincial Women’s Union has focused on promoting the study and practice of President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example through practical and meaningful actions. Among them, the “Jar of Loving Rice” has been warmly embraced by officials and members, reflecting its deep humanitarian spirit. The union has directed local chapters to actively raise awareness of the program’s significance and expand it through pilot models. Many outstanding grassroots chapters have emerged in communes such as Yen Chau, Muong Sai, Sop Cop, and Phu Yen.

The model is considered simple and practical since most households grow paddy or upland rice. The collected rice is packed into small bags and personally delivered to poor families in the hamlet. Members participate enthusiastically and voluntarily -  those who have more give more, those who have less give less. On occasions such as International Women’s Day (March 8), Vietnamese Women’s Day (October 20), and War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27), local chapters gather rice and money from members to support poor women and policy families.

Since the beginning of this year, through the “Jar of Loving Rice” and the contributions of members, local women’s unions have provided over 4,000 kilograms of rice, 130 million VND (4,937 USD), 7,000 bundles of firewood, and 8,300 bundles of leaves, along with 2,271 workdays to help poor women and policy families.

Cam Thi Hong Duyen, Chairwoman of the provincial Women’s Union, said: “In the coming time, the provincial Women’s Union will continue to guide local chapters to maintain and expand the model, especially in remote and border areas. We will also develop new savings models suited to local conditions to further support poor women and policy families. These efforts help attract more members to the union and effectively implement women’s movements.”

The “Jar of Loving Rice” has become a bond connecting the kind and generous hearts of Women’s Union members. It not only strengthens solidarity within local chapters but also brings faith and hope to those striving to overcome life’s difficulties.