Supporting disadvantaged youth

Poor health, difficulties in daily life and studies, and limited opportunities to find suitable employment are some of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. However, through their efforts and perseverance, along with the care and support of the community, people with disabilities have overcome their circumstances and become useful members of society.

The City Youth Union, in coordination with the City Association for the Support of Disabled People and Orphaned Children, donated a sewing machine worth 10 million VND to Nguyen Anh Vu (fourth from the right), a young man with disabilities. Photo: NGOC QUOC

From a young age, Le Thi Dieu Anh (Hoa Tho Tay ward, Cam Le district) had a leg disability, and due to her family's financial difficulties, she had to drop out of school.

At the age of 15, Anh's family enrolled him in embroidery and sewing classes, hoping he would have a stable profession to support himself. Due to financial difficulties, with support from the City Youth Union in the form of 5 million VND from the livelihood fund for people with disabilities, Anh was able to buy a sewing machine and an overlock machine to start his trade, earning approximately 7 million VND per month.

In 2023, Anh was one of 35 individuals honored by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union as "Outstanding Young People with Disabilities Nationwide".

Nguyen Anh Vu (Hoa Khuong commune, Hoa Vang district) has been deaf and mute since childhood. Overcoming adversity, Vu diligently learned tailoring and later got married. The family's main source of income comes from tailoring, but it's not enough to cover living expenses, so Vu hopes to buy a sewing machine to take on extra work in the evenings to earn more income.

In 2024, the City Youth Union, in coordination with the City Association for the Protection of Disabled People and Orphaned Children, donated a sewing machine worth 10 million VND to Vu to help him earn extra income, averaging nearly 4 million VND per month.

According to Mr. Do Hong Quang, Head of the City's Association of Young People with Disabilities, despite their disabilities, young people with disabilities are very eager to contribute to society and want to assert themselves.

Over the past period, the branch association, in coordination with the City Youth Union and philanthropists and businesses, has provided vocational training, livelihood support, and capital assistance, helping many young people with disabilities find suitable jobs and stabilize their lives. During holidays, members receive gifts and participate in cultural, artistic, and recreational activities, helping young people with disabilities feel cheerful and overcome feelings of shyness and inferiority.

However, the resources available to support and care for young people with disabilities at the local branch are currently limited, and the joint efforts and support of organizations, businesses, and philanthropists are needed in the future.

Youth Union branches throughout the city have implemented various models and solutions to help young people with disabilities overcome challenges in life, most notably the "Acoustic Music Night to Raise Funds for Children's Dreams" model implemented by the Hoa Phat Ward Youth Union (Cam Le District) for over two years.

Once every quarter, the Hoa Phat Youth Union organizes a fundraising music night with the participation of numerous union members, disabled youth, and local residents. According to Trinh Thi Hoai Thuong, Secretary of the Hoa Phat Ward Youth Union, from the funds received after each music night, the Ward Youth Union donates 4 million VND to 4 disabled youth and children in difficult circumstances in the area.

According to Nguyen Ba Duan, Deputy Secretary of the City Youth Union and President of the City Youth Federation, with the motto "leaving no one behind," the Youth Union and Federation branches in the city actively support and accompany young people with disabilities through activities such as livelihood support, loan provision, gift giving, and job placement.

The association provides approximately 50 million VND annually to help members of the City's Youth Association for People with Disabilities access loans and develop their businesses. Thanks to the support of various levels of associations and organizations, and their own efforts, many young people with disabilities have risen to develop economically and become useful members of society.

NGOC QUOC

Source: https://baodanang.vn/xa-hoi/202504/dong-hanh-thanh-nien-yeu-the-4005899/