On the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 3/12: “Promoting an inclusive society for the advancement of the whole community”

In 2025, the United Nations has chosen the theme “Promoting an inclusive society for the advancement of the whole community”. This is not only a global reminder of the responsibility towards people with disabilities, but also affirms that inclusion is the foundation of sustainable development. A society is truly progressive when everyone, regardless of circumstances, has the opportunity to contribute and develop their abilities.

Báo Thanh Hóa•03/12/2025

Thanh Hoa Association for the Protection of the Disabled, Orphans and Children's Rights gives gifts to children in difficult circumstances in Tho Phu commune.

Responding to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Thanh Hoa Association for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities, Orphans and Protection of Children's Rights (hereinafter referred to as the Association) has proactively implemented many practical activities, spreading the spirit of sharing widely in society. From supporting surgeries, providing wheelchairs, granting scholarships, to building charity houses, supporting livelihoods, the Association always strives to bring opportunities for access to education , health care and employment for the disadvantaged. The Associations at all levels also coordinate with many organizations and sponsors to expand the scope of assistance, while strengthening communication to raise public awareness of the rights, needs and abilities of persons with disabilities. These actions not only demonstrate responsibility, but also contribute to promoting sustainable integration throughout society.

Specifically, since the beginning of the year, the Sponsorship Association has mobilized resources from the provincial level to the grassroots level, reaching nearly 25 billion VND, of which more than 6.7 billion VND was directly called for and coordinated by the association; the rest was coordinated with organizations, unions and philanthropists in the province. Thanks to these resources, the association has directly supported 34,103 beneficiaries, with a total cost of more than 24 billion VND, performing cataract surgery for 188 cases, 18 orthopedic surgeries, thousands of free medical examinations and medicine, helping disabled people recover their health and regain their confidence. In particular, the Sponsorship Association has donated 421 wheelchairs, including 391 from Caritas Thanh Hoa Diocese.

Along with health care, education care continues to be an area that the association devotes much of its attention to. Long-term and short-term scholarships worth billions of VND have helped 1,345 students in important learning stages, and 1,159 students receive monthly support to help them go to school. Bicycles, school bags, and school supplies are delivered directly to help many children have a brighter future. In particular, the program to support disabled students using wheelchairs with computers and tuition for information technology courses has opened the door to digital integration, helping them access a wider world of knowledge.

A bright spot in recent times is the strong shift towards supporting sustainable livelihoods. 40 people were trained in vocational skills, 16 people were employed, and 8 households were given pets, these are initial but meaningful figures. In particular, the cooperation model with Bell Vietnam Group to open 5 points of sale for people with disabilities at markets and kiosks shows the right direction, from short-term support to creating long-term opportunities for independence.

Along with livelihood support, community activities continue to be widely deployed. Charity houses are repaired and newly built; access roads are completed; thousands of Tet gifts, Mid-Autumn Festival gifts, new school year gifts... are given, helping many families overcome difficult times. Programs in coordination with charitable organizations and sponsors such as Caritas, Vingroup, Giving Back Childhood Organization... also create a wide, deep and long-term support network.

In the field of child rights protection, the Sponsoring Association has implemented the project "Enhancing community capacity in preventing and combating violence against children" sponsored by Terre des Hommes (Germany). 30 training courses, 980 participants, including children, people, and grassroots officials, have created positive impacts and spread awareness about a safe environment for children. Moreover, the Association at all levels has actively coordinated to handle and support cases of child abuse, violence, and abandonment... clearly demonstrating the organization's role of "protecting green buds".

In addition to the achievements, there are still many challenges in the integration journey. The organization of the association according to the new model has caused many localities to lack specialized personnel, when key officials mostly hold concurrent positions. Resource mobilization has not met the target, especially the resources directly mobilized by the association. These are systemic difficulties that require coordination from many sides to resolve.

In 2026, the association aims to mobilize 4 - 4.5 billion VND from cash and converted goods, while continuing to strengthen the apparatus, striving to have 75 - 80% of communes and wards establish associations. Key programs such as livelihood support, child rights protection, violence prevention training, and policy propaganda will continue to be maintained and expanded. The key solution is identified as strengthening coordination with the Vietnam Fatherland Front and local authorities in building the association; promoting communication to attract resources; and diversifying support models, especially start-up models for people with disabilities - a trend in line with the world's sustainable development and integration goals.

More than anyone else, the Sponsoring Association understands that an inclusive society cannot come from individual appeals, but requires the cooperation of the entire community. Every heart of sharing, every support model, every volunteer program, whether small or large, contributes to making a better society. The achievements in 2025 are not just numbers, but the persistent journey of thousands of hearts turning towards the disadvantaged.

When the world calls for “Promoting an inclusive society for the progress of the whole community”, Thanh Hoa has been contributing its voice with profound and concrete actions. And on that journey, the Sponsorship Association always plays a core role as a bridge, a companion, a trusted home for the disadvantaged.

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