Giving opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive.

Guests experience activities at the booths participating in the exhibition of typical livelihood models of women with disabilities. Photo: Nga Son

Guests experience activities at the booths participating in the exhibition showcasing typical livelihood models of women with disabilities. Photo: Nga Son

Thanks to her own efforts, support from the community, especially the support from the Inclusion Project III-b (directly implemented by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Center for Research and Development of Disability Capacity in Dong Nai province), Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Yen, residing in Ward 1, Long Binh commune, has realized her dream of becoming a seamstress, earning a stable income, and not becoming a burden to her family and society.

Self-effort

Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Yen once had a healthy body. At the age of 3, after contracting polio, her legs were permanently paralyzed, preventing her from walking, running, and jumping like her peers. Unable to walk, coupled with her impoverished family circumstances, she only attended preschool before dropping out. Her first education after preschool was a free sewing class taught by the nuns of the Congregation of the Holy Cross of Bac Hai (in Long Binh ward).

Ms. Kim Yen shared: "Having only attended preschool, I wasn't proficient in reading and writing. Adding to that, having gone without formal schooling for many years made learning to sew, having to hold a pen and notebook to record measurements, a real challenge for me. However, faced with the requirement to be able to write letters and numbers to record measurements and draw patterns, Ms. Kim Yen taught herself and can now read and write fluently. Because she loves sewing, she even experimented with cutting and sewing on her own. Therefore, she learned the trade very quickly, becoming proficient in sewing in a short time. Now, after many years in the profession, she can sew a variety of styles according to customer requests."

At the recent Livelihood Capital Grant Program for People with Disabilities and Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Dong Nai province, organized by the Center for Research and Development of People with Disabilities in coordination with the Department of Health and the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Dong Nai province, Mr. Nguyen Duc Hiep Huyen (residing in Tan Lap neighborhood, Phuoc Tan ward) was delighted to receive capital and a laptop to help him earn a living.

Huyen said: A polio infection at the age of 3 took away his mobility. Since then, his life has been tied to crutches, a wheelchair, and a walker. Despite the difficulties of not having flexible legs, with a thirst for knowledge and determination to overcome hardship, Huyen worked hard to complete high school and then continued his studies in electronics at the No. 2 Economic and Technical College (in Tam Hiep ward).

After graduating, he worked part-time to gain more experience. Two years later, with the support of his family and his own savings, he opened a home-based electronics repair and event sound system installation shop. The electronics repair business has peak and off-peak seasons, but it basically ensures he always has work.

“This time, I received 10 million VND in livelihood support and a laptop. I plan to use this capital to buy audio setup software, a decoder, sound measuring equipment, etc., to better serve my current work, saving time and effort, and increasing my income,” said Mr. Huyen.

The jobs that people with disabilities are doing are similar to those of ordinary people, but they are incredibly meaningful to them, helping them take control of their lives, regain their self-confidence, and contribute to reducing the burden of social welfare.

People with disabilities are always given attention and support.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Dung, Head of the Social Policy Department of the Department of Health, said: The province has approximately 65,000 people with disabilities receiving monthly social allowances in the community and about 500 people with disabilities being cared for at the Provincial Social Work Center and social protection facilities in the province. In recent years, in implementing the policies and guidelines of the Party and State, people with disabilities in the province have always received attention. In addition to monthly social allowances, the health sector has instructed hospitals and health centers in the province to regularly and continuously provide healthcare for people with disabilities. Every year, the province organizes delegations of people with disabilities to participate in national and regional sports competitions…

According to Mr. Dung, the current social assistance for people with disabilities is at a moderate level and cannot meet all their daily needs. Therefore, people with disabilities currently receiving assistance outside the community are participating in diverse labor, production, and business activities.

To help people with disabilities access additional capital for production and business, the Center for Research and Development of People with Disabilities, in coordination with the Department of Health and the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Dong Nai province, recently organized the awarding of livelihood capital to 20 people with disabilities and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

According to Mr. Dung, the livelihood support program for people with disabilities is a component of the Inclusion Project III-b, directly implemented by CRS and its subcontractor, the Center for Research and Development of Disability Capacity, in Dong Nai province. By 2025, 192 people with disabilities and victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in the province had received livelihood support. This is a great source of encouragement, helping people with disabilities and their families to have more resources to develop their skills and professions, increase their income, and stabilize their family lives.

Ms. Quach Thi Hong Van (residing in Block 8A, Long Binh Ward) - one of the people with disabilities who received livelihood capital - expressed: "I have a mobility disability and a scoliosis. My biggest difficulty when making garments is having to travel outside to have buttonholes made. This constant travel affects my health, makes my work dependent on others, and wastes time. Therefore, the 15 million VND capital support package is a practical and timely solution, helping me equip myself with a buttonhole machine and a steam iron. I can completely manage the garment making process at home, eliminating the need to travel outside for buttonhole making. This will increase my productivity, improve my expected income, and give me better economic conditions to care for myself and my family."

"Not only that, this year I also had the opportunity to participate in an exhibition showcasing exemplary livelihood models of women with disabilities. This helped me realize that, despite my physical limitations, with effort and opportunity, I can still shine and contribute value to the community," Hong Van confided.

Nga Son

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202512/trao-co-hoi-de-nguoi-khuyet-tat-vuon-len-dc83935/