Join hands to help women with disabilities reduce poverty.

Women with disabilities face many disadvantages in life. Despite the numerous health, economic, and social challenges, many women persevere with unwavering determination and strong will. When given timely support through programs providing capital and production resources, they not only stabilize their family lives but also become shining examples of resilience and self-reliance in their communities.

Financial support through interest-free loans.

Through livelihood support programs, many women with disabilities have had the opportunity to access preferential loans to invest in developing their family's economy . Each loan has provided financial support and instilled confidence and motivation in them, helping them gradually overcome obstacles.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le (residing in Tan Ninh ward, Tay Ninh province) suffered from polio after the age of 3, making it difficult for her to walk. Despite this, she nurtured a passion for tailoring and began learning the trade at the age of 18. Two years later, she officially started her career. Starting with sewing casual clothes, she gradually moved on to making suits and traditional Vietnamese dresses (áo dài) – product lines that require meticulousness and high skill. Life seemed to be going well, but in 2017, due to unforeseen circumstances, her family had to sell their house and rent accommodation, facing many difficulties.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Le's small tailoring shop (residing in Tan Ninh ward) is maintained with funds from the Provincial Association for the Support of People with Disabilities, the Poor, and the Protection of Children's Rights.

Fortunately, she joined the Ninh Son Disabled Persons Club and was introduced to a loan from the fund of the Provincial Association for the Protection of Disabled Persons, the Poor, and Children's Rights. With the first loan of 10 million VND, then 20 and 30 million VND (interest-free), Ms. Le began renting a space, buying materials, and resuming her sewing business. In recent years, she has specialized in sewing traditional Vietnamese dresses (áo dài).

She continuously improved her skills by attending ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) sewing classes in Ho Chi Minh City… Thanks to this, her small tailor shop has a relatively stable customer base. She and her husband live frugally to support their two children's dreams: one in their second year of university and the other in 12th grade at Hoang Le Kha Specialized High School.

“Thanks to that capital, I had the opportunity to return to sewing. I still can't afford a house, but life is much more stable than before. I paid off my most recent loan in September and am currently applying for another one. With the loan capital, I buy fabric to sell and earn a small profit to support my family,” Ms. Le confided.

Although life is not yet affluent, Ms. Le actively participates in social activities. She remembers most vividly the year 2022, when, during an exchange program in Da Nang City, she brought a self-made ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) to an auction to raise funds for the SOS Children's Village in Da Nang, raising 30 million VND.

For Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Duyen (residing in Da Han hamlet, Phuoc Thanh commune), the loan has helped stabilize her life. Ms. Duyen has a disability in her back and legs and earns a living by selling lottery tickets and raising livestock at home. “Every day, I get about 100 lottery tickets from the agent, but many regular customers buy on credit, so I always need to have cash on hand to maintain my supply of tickets. Without capital, my work would be interrupted,” Ms. Duyen shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Duyen (residing in Phuoc Thanh commune) received interest-free loans to buy and sell lottery tickets.

During her three years as a member of the Disabled Persons Club in Phuoc Thanh commune, she was given the opportunity to borrow money three times, totaling 50 million VND. This money helped her maintain a revolving fund, preventing interruptions in her lottery ticket sales and allowing her to continue raising chickens, generating additional income for her family. Despite facing difficulties, Ms. Duyen always strives to work hard and improve her life through her own efforts.

According to Nguyen Van Qua, Chairman of the Association for the Support of People with Disabilities, the Poor, and the Protection of Children's Rights in the province: "Over the years, the Association's fund has enabled many members with disabilities to access interest-free loans for economic activities. Through the Clubs for People with Disabilities, depending on their work needs, members can apply for loans ranging from 10 million VND to a maximum of 30 million VND. The loan period is 18 months."

Currently, the loan fund for people with disabilities is approximately 1 billion VND. By February 2026, an initial loan repayment will be completed, recovering an additional 1 billion VND. This will provide approximately 2 billion VND to support people with disabilities through loans in 2026. Currently, the Association is notifying disability clubs throughout the province to compile a list of those in need of loans and will disburse the funds immediately after completing the necessary procedures.”

Caring for the lives of people with disabilities.

In their journey of supporting vulnerable people, through community sharing and practical support programs, many women have found additional strength to overcome difficulties.

Ms. Vuong Thi Do (residing in Giua Hamlet, Phuoc Thanh Commune) suffers from a congenital scoliosis. Since childhood, her health has been weak, preventing her from doing heavy work. At the age of 20, she taught herself sewing. After 30 years of working in the garment industry, Ms. Do realized that even with high skill, outdated equipment significantly affected product quality and productivity. Therefore, she wished for an automatic sewing machine to make her work easier.

“Four years ago, DRD (Center for Research and Development of Disability Capacity) supported me with 40 million VND to buy an industrial sewing machine and an overlock machine. The new equipment helps me sew faster, with sharper stitches, more uniform products, and saves me as much time as before,” Ms. Do said.

In addition, Ms. Do also received a loan of 70 million VND from the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities, the Poor, and Children's Rights, in installments of 10-20 million VND each. This capital helped her purchase materials, fabric, etc., to maintain a stable business.

As for Ms. Cao Thanh Thuy (residing in Ninh Thanh neighborhood, Binh Minh ward), her current life is thanks to the help of many people. Ms. Thuy recounted that she suffered from polio and could not walk normally. At the age of 20, she got married, but her happiness was incomplete. She raised her child alone.

Ms. Cao Thanh Thúy (residing in Binh Minh ward) received a sewing machine as a donation from DRD.

“At that time, I didn't have a home and had to stay with acquaintances, making a living by peeling cashew nuts and repairing things for people in the neighborhood. Every month, the Ninh Son parish gave my mother and me rice to eat. Seeing my situation, the local authorities considered building a solidarity house for me. At that time, my relatives and friends pooled together 30 million dong for me to buy a small plot of land. In 2018, I finally had a small house for my mother and me,” Ms. Thuy recounted.

Having secured housing, Ms. Thuy began taking on garment manufacturing work. In 2020, she received 50 million VND in support from DRD to purchase industrial sewing machines and overlock machines. Additionally, she received a 5 million VND interest-free loan from the Women's Union of the commune and was given an electric bicycle for easier transportation. Thanks to the assistance from many organizations, Ms. Thuy overcame the most difficult period of her life. Currently, her daughter has gotten married and has a stable job.

"Now, my life is much more comfortable than before. I am truly grateful to the local authorities and philanthropists who have shared the difficulties with my family over the past time," Thuy said emotionally.

Over the past period, with the attention and guidance of the local government, social welfare work and care for people with disabilities have always been implemented promptly. In particular, the action program to assist women with disabilities for the period 2021-2030, implemented by the Provincial Women's Union, has so far distributed over 2,000 gifts, provided capital and livestock to nearly 100 women with disabilities, totaling 500 million VND; and assisted 40 women in completing social protection applications. In addition, vocational training, provision of livelihood resources, job placement, housing support, medical examinations, and the donation of wheelchairs and mobility aids have been regularly implemented, creating conditions for people with disabilities to integrate better into society.

Providing vocational training support for people with disabilities in Tan Phu commune.

Poverty reduction for women with disabilities in particular, and people with disabilities in general, is not just about "giving" them money or tools; it's about providing opportunities and creating an environment for them to develop their skills, showcase their abilities, and live independently. With timely support and access to humane policies, each person with a disability can continue their journey with resilience and self-confidence.

Khai Tuong

Source: https://baolongan.vn/chung-tay-giup-phu-nu-khuyet-tat-giam-ngheo-a207334.html