Vocational training for people with disabilities in mountainous areas of Quang Tri

QTO - For generations, the lives of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic minorities in the mountainous areas of Quang Tri province have relied mainly on slash-and-burn farming, making it even more difficult for people with disabilities (PWDs) to find a stable job. That is also the reason why Plan International in Vietnam and the Irish Embassy in Vietnam have paid attention and supported funding for vocational training for PWDs in Dakrong commune, in order to help them have a suitable job to earn a living...

The broom production team of the Dakrong commune's disabled people was established in 2023, consisting of 23 members ranging in age from 17 to 70 years old. Each person has a different situation, but they all have one thing in common: a difficult life, so everyone can easily sympathize, share love, always promote the spirit of teamwork and are willing to help each other.

In 2002, while weeding cassava in the field, Mr. Ho Van Khon in Vung Kho village, Dakrong commune unfortunately hit a cluster bomb and became disabled. As the main breadwinner in a family of 6 children, Mr. Khon's family life fell into difficulty. After the Dakrong commune's Broom Production Team was established, Mr. Khon and his wife attended a 10-day vocational training course. Currently, Mr. Khon can make 4 brooms a day, and his wife can make 8. Thanks to that, Mr. Khon's family has an additional source of income and their life is increasingly stable.

“Since joining the Broom Production Team, my wife no longer has to worry about carrying brooms to sell on the street like before because there are members of the team in charge of finding and connecting markets for the products. We are also allowed by Plan to visit and study at production facilities in other provinces, so our skills are increasingly improved and our income is increased,” Mr. Khon shared.

Mr. Ho Van Khon and his wife in Vung Kho village, Dakrong commune are happy to learn the broom making profession, helping to improve their lives - Photo: PTL

Mr. Ho Van Nuoi is 70 years old this year, and has a mobility disability due to the war. Mr. Nuoi got married late, and currently, all three of his children are in school, and his wife has been sick for many years. Mr. Nuoi said: “I am old and weak, and no longer have enough strength to do farming work. After receiving training in broom making, I always try to work hard to earn more income. Thank you Plan and the Irish Embassy for helping people with disabilities like us gain skills and a job to make a living.”

In 2024, the Dakrong Commune People's Committee produced nearly 1,000 products, and members produced about 800 products at home. Since the beginning of 2025, due to difficulties in raw materials, the group has produced over 1,000 products, of which about 500 products were produced centrally at the Ka Lu Village Community Cultural House. The products are connected and consumed mostly in the market within the province and some other provinces and cities.

After the broom production team of the disabled in Dakrong commune operated stably and effectively, Plan International in Vietnam coordinated with the local government to support the opening of a broom making training class for 20 members of the disabled ethnic minority in Ta Rut commune. Currently, the members of the team are actively studying and have begun to produce batches of products for local consumption.

Mr. Le Hoai Phong, Chairman of Dakrong Commune People's Committee, said that in addition to the broom making profession, ethnic minorities in general and PWDs in particular in the locality also have the skill of weaving daily life items from rattan and bamboo such as: A choo, a du, baskets, trays... Therefore, in the coming time, the local government will coordinate with organizations and social groups to open suitable vocational training classes for the people.

“Supporting ethnic minority people with disabilities to have skills not only helps them improve their lives, but also contributes to preserving the unique indigenous cultural values ​​of the Van Kieu and Pa Ko ethnic groups living in the Truong Son range,” Mr. Phong emphasized.

T.LAM-P.PHUONG

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202510/dao-tao-nghe-cho-nguoi-khuet-tat-o-mien-nui-quang-tri-7db6580/