Years of war have left Phu Da commune with vast areas of sandy, infertile land pockmarked with bomb craters. IDE’s affordable hand pumps enabled farmers in Phu Da to grow better quality, high value crops even during the dry season. But, thanks to IDE’s entrepreneurial approach, it’s not just the farmers who benefit.
Like many of the residents of this commune, Nguyen Van Tien struggled to survive in this barren area. Before IDE came to his commune, he lived in a small thatched hut, growing small amounts of cassava. His wife earned most of the family’s income from her job at a local kindergarten. Together, Tien and his wife earned just $21 per month. “We had only enough money to provide proper meals for our three young children for 7 months of the year,” Tien recalls.
Their lives changed when Tien was chosen to participate in a two-week course in tube-well drilling as part of IDE’s hand pump program in his commune. Upon successful completion, Tien received a loan to purchase drilling equipment and he quickly joined a drilling team with two other drillers. IDE helped him make initial contacts, and before long he had established a good reputation.
“Our customers came back to us because we always looked after them.”
Buoyed by the success of his original team, Tien set up his own drilling team a year ago. Mr. Tien now earns up to $60 a month, and his family lives in a concrete house.
He reflects, “Although Phu Da is still one of the poorest communes in the province, I am very lucky. I have a good business and a secure future for my family.”
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