Give opportunities, weave dreams.

From providing assistance to giving opportunities.

According to statistics from the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans, there are currently nearly 50,000 people with disabilities and orphans in the province. The community now affirms that people with disabilities are an essential part of social diversity and a potential source of strength. Therefore, a shift from humanitarian assistance to ensuring rights and welfare creates an environment of equality and development.

Ms. Hoang Thi Tuyen from Dong Quang village, Ham Yen commune, teaches sewing for free to many students.

The first foundation of inclusion is creating all resources to improve and care for the health of people with disabilities. Since 2003, the province has implemented a community-based rehabilitation program. Through this program, the health sector has built a network of health workers from the provincial to the commune and ward levels to support rehabilitation for people with disabilities.

Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Head of Tien Bo Health Station in Thai Binh commune, said that every year, village health workers and commune health officials in charge of the community-based rehabilitation program receive training and update their knowledge on how to detect and intervene early in people with disabilities.

This helps the primary healthcare network improve its diagnostic capacity, ensuring that patients are detected and receive intervention during the "golden period." This contributes to making rehabilitation a regular, continuous activity within the community, instead of being interrupted due to difficult travel conditions.

Beyond professional expertise, management has also been thoroughly digitized. The implementation of information management software by Huong Sen Rehabilitation Hospital and Ha Giang Rehabilitation Hospital, along with standardized record-keeping at commune health stations, has created a transparent data system. This is a crucial link in accurately connecting the needs of people with disabilities with social resources. Over the past 10 years, the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans has coordinated nearly 200 free medical examinations, treatments, and medication distribution sessions; and provided nearly 500 wheelchairs and bicycles to people with disabilities.

Ms. Ma Thi Thuong, a disabled person from Bac Danh village, Na Hang commune, proudly showed off her new wheelchair recently donated by philanthropists. She said: “Thanks to the care, encouragement, and material support from the authorities and associations, I think I need to try harder to improve my life and avoid becoming a burden to my family and society.”

If good health is a necessary condition for physical recovery, then imparting knowledge is a sufficient condition to remove invisible psychological barriers. The Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans has actively and effectively implemented the Inclusive Education Program for Children with Disabilities in Tuyen Quang.

Every year, more than 100 students with disabilities from Binh Thuan Primary School, Son Lac Primary School, and the Anh Binh Minh Inclusive Education Development Center in Minh Xuan ward participate in inclusive education support programs. This project is funded by non-refundable foreign non-governmental aid from Greencross Switzerland in Vietnam.

Every year, the Provincial Department of Education and Training directs educational institutions to develop inclusive education plans to maximize the participation of children with disabilities aged 3 to 16 in inclusive classes, aiming for an 85% enrollment rate. Currently, there are over 50 schools in the province with inclusive learning corners for children with disabilities.

Besides healthcare and education, a stable livelihood is truly the foundation for people with disabilities to become self-reliant. For many years, Tuyen Quang has actively implemented projects to provide healthcare and livelihood support for people with disabilities and orphans. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoa, President of the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans, shared: “One of the goals of the project is not to provide a fish for temporary sustenance, but to give them a fishing rod. A breeding cow, a flock of chickens, or preferential loans are the most sustainable fishing rods.”

This strategic thinking has been vividly realized through more than 10 years of implementation in 15 key communes. The project supporting cattle breeding in Yen Nguyen commune has achieved many positive results. From an initial capital of over 600 million VND, transformed into 30 cows and 6 calves, the herd has now grown to 46 cows. Ms. Hoang Thi Tuyen, a disabled person from Khuan Tru village, was moved when she saw the newborn calf from the project's breeding cow, saying that it was not just a 25 million VND asset, but the hope for a better life for her entire family.

For example, in Dong Tho commune, the 2024 Livelihood Project provided production capital to 10 households. Mr. Ninh Van Than, from Huu Loc village, shared that this capital helped his family expand their chicken flock to nearly 100 birds, bringing in a stable income. He feels more confident and bolder in investing in economic development.

The family of Mr. Le Duc Lanh, Yen Nguyen commune, received support in the form of cattle from the Cattle Breeding Support Project. (In the photo: Representatives of the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans inspect the growth of the supported cattle breed).

Empowerment in livelihoods is further diversified through the collaboration of various departments and agencies. Annually, the Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities and Orphans proactively develops vocational training plans for cattle and poultry farming that closely match actual needs. Women's Unions at all levels also actively facilitate access to low-interest loans for disabled female members to engage in small businesses, weaving, embroidery, etc. These efforts have created a multi-tiered social security network, helping thousands of people not only receive medical care and housing support but also secure stable employment.

The moon shines brightly.

Putting aside everyday insecurities, many people with disabilities in Tuyen Quang are choosing to live proactively and with great determination. No longer passively waiting for pity, they embrace support in terms of capital and vocational training as a springboard to rise up on their own.
In Dong Quang village, Ham Yen commune, the story of Ms. Hoang Thi Tuyen's sewing shop is spoken of by the locals with admiration and affection. Suffering from muscle atrophy in her legs since childhood, she understands the hardships of having incomplete mobility. But instead of complaining, she chose to learn a trade to support herself. Her simple philosophy is: "If others do one thing, I must try twice or three times as hard."

Tran Giang Hien, from Dong Nhat village, Ham Yen commune, a girl who lost her right hand and suffers from a skin disease, used to be very self-conscious until she met Ms. Tuyen. Hien shared: “Ms. Tuyen helped me understand that I can still live a useful life. Watching her work gives me more motivation to try harder every day.”

The handcrafted products, such as handbags and stuffed animals, made by the teacher and her students, may be small, but they embody immense determination. Thanks to this effort, Ms. Tuyen was elected to the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Association of Youth with Disabilities, term 1, 2024-2029.

Many people with disabilities are also finding new opportunities thanks to technology, a prime example being Ms. Nguyen Thu Huong from An Tuong ward. Having lost one leg in an accident, she experienced very sad times. But for the sake of her children, she pulled herself together, starting with a small grocery store and then venturing into online sales.

Initially hesitant, she gradually became accustomed to introducing products through her phone screen. She spread that joy when she founded the "Tuyen Quang Aspirations Club." This is a common home for 48 members, where everyone encourages each other and shares business ideas.

Or take Mr. Nguyen Van Cay, 60 years old, from Tha village, Ha Giang 1 ward. Despite having only one hand, he still enthusiastically works in agriculture and provides homestay services to meet the accommodation needs of tourists visiting Tha Village Community Tourism Village…

These stories of overcoming adversity are not just the personal joy of individuals or families, but vivid proof that the province's "giving a fishing rod" policy has truly taken root in people's lives. The journey of integration for people with disabilities cannot be a solitary one. It requires the joint efforts of the entire political system and society in removing barriers, boldly empowering them, and creating opportunities. Only then will people with disabilities have the necessary platform to unleash their hidden potential.

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202511/trao-co-hoi-det-uoc-mo-4e33107/