A mainstay of unfortunate circumstances in life

On September 26, Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities, Orphans and Poor Patients held a ceremony to celebrate its 30th anniversary (September 1993 - September 2023). The ceremony was attended by Nguyen Van Loc, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee, Chairman of Provincial People's Council; Bui Thanh Nhan, Member of Provincial Party Standing Committee, Head of Provincial Party Mass Mobilization Committee; Nguyen Loc Ha, Member of Provincial Party Standing Committee, Vice Chairman of Provincial People's Committee; and leaders of departments, branches and localities.

Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, President of Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities, Orphans and Poor Patients gives livelihood support and vocational training to disadvantaged people in need of support.

Practical support

Even though they are impaired or not normal like many other people, many persons with disabilities in the province do not give up this life. They love life, are optimistic, believe in a bright future, and seek to surpass themselves every day to prove to everyone and society that they are disabled but useful.

Vu Thi Lan (born in 1978), a resident of Phu Tho ward, Thu Dau Mot city, is a victim of Agent Orange. She was paralyzed in both legs when she was 11 months old, so living has had many difficulties. Even though she has a physical disability, with her strength and the encouragement and support of the Association, she gets on and build a better and happier life.

After learning about Lan's difficult situation, the Association provided her a new, more sturdy wheelchair to help her move conveniently. She was also introduced to a vocational training and taught directly by Korean experts at Provincial Vocational Training Center for People with Disabilities. “Having a job is a very lucky thing for me, an opportunity to change myself and my family's life. I always tell myself, I have to try harder to have a better life," Lan said. With her own efforts, along with the support of the Association, she got a job, saved up to buy a small land, built a house and gradually stabilized her life.

Le Thi Bang Tam (born in 2003), who lives in Vinh Phu ward, Thuan An city, is an orphan that has been supported to excel in her study. Tam is currently a student of Faculty of High Quality Training, majoring in environmental engineering technology at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education and Technology. Her family is a poor household. In May 2022, the Association awarded her a laptop worth 15 million VND. Tam said that thanks to the laptop, her studies are also better, especially information technology skills.

“Recently, the Association has many practical and timely support programs for disadvantaged situations. Thanks to this support, many people, including me, have risen up, overcome my complex, difficulties, and have a good life. I promise to constantly strive and be excel in my studies, stabilize my life, and be worthy of the trust and love that the sponsors have given me and my family."

Provincial Association for the Protection of People with Disabilities, Orphans and Poor Patients hands over a repaired charity house to a poor household in An Long commune, Phu Giao district.

Connect many support resources

Up to now, the Association has gone through 30 years of formation and development. With social responsibility, contributing to protecting, caring for and assisting people with disabilities, orphans, poor patients, and other vulnerable groups, the Association has actively mobilized resources and organized many programs and projects to support and assist these disadvantaged people to improve their lives.

Nguyen Thi Kim Oanh, Chairwoman of the Association, said that the Association has always received the attention of the Party, State, departments and branches, creating good conditions for the Association to promote its abilities and strengths to contribute to the development of the province. With its role and reputation, the Association has mobilized and gathered a lot of both material and spiritual support from the community, from businesses, people, religions to international organizations joining hands to share difficulties with disadvantaged people in many different forms.

Specifically, through annual activities, the Association has implemented many meaningful programs, such as: eye surgery brings light to poor blind people; orthopedic surgery to restore function for mobility impaired people; donating wheelchairs to people with disabilities; donating bicycles and scholarships to orphans; vocational training, job creation, livelihood support for people with disabilities, orphans and many other activities. Over the past 30 years, the Association and its branches have mobilized resources (including cash and in-kind) with a total value of over 111.9 billion VND, of which cash was 41.127 billion VND. From this source of mobilization, the Association has implemented many activities, helping 379,847 beneficiaries.

“Our activities always receive the companionship of organizations, businesses, and philanthropists. We would like to express our gratitude and promise to bring this support resource to people with disabilities, orphans, poor patients, and other vulnerable groups, help them develop truly sustainably to have a better life in the future. Hopefully, in the coming time, the Association will continue to receive more attention from Party committees, authorities, Fatherland Front, unions, businesses, and benefactors, all join hands to support unfortunate lives in the province."

Reported by Hong Thuan - Translated by Ngoc Huynh