In their efforts to support people with disabilities in Da Nang, local relevant agencies and authorities at local level are focusing on providing vocational training livelihood support for them, thereby facilitating them to find a suitable job, and get access to bank loan in a bid to assist them to improve their living conditions, and integrate into the community.

Thanh Khe District People’'s Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Huu Cong (first row, right) gives livelihoods and wheelchairs to disabled people in the district. Photo: L.P

Providing livelihood support

Ms. Quynh, a resident of Chinh Gian Ward, Thanh Khe District is a typical example. She was born with a defect in her left leg. Her left leg stopped growing, and it started shrinking when she grew up while her toes stuck together, causing difficulty in walking.

However, not surrendering to fate, Ms. Quynh learned how to sew to find a suitable job. After completing her vocational training, Ms. Quynh can earn money from opening a tailoring shop at home.

Ms. Quynh happily said: "I was given a new 2-needle overlock machine a few days ago by Thanh Khe District Authority. Members of my family was very happy to receive livelihood support from local authority as there was more support machinery to make my work faster and more convenient ".

Similarly, Mrs. Xuyen is wheelchair-bound as she has had both legs paralyzed since her childhood. To earn money to take care of her children, Mrs. Xuyen opened a rice shop at home. Knowing that Mrs. Xuyen needed a device to store rice, Thanh Khe District authority gave her 2 iron shelves to help her have a convenient place to store rice in a bid to facilitate her to run her rice retail business effectively.

Ms. Ta Thi Hai, a resident of Tan Chinh Ward, Thanh Khe District, who was born with leg defects is another example. She was supported with 6 sets of stainless steel tables and chairs to open an eating shop.

Thanh Khe District People's Committee Vice Chairman Nguyen Huu Cong said that to implement the district's 2024 theme of ensuring that everybody has access to social protection, the District authority has provided livelihoods support for 12 people with disabilities and given wheelchairs and orthopedic devices for 10 others at a total cost of more than VND 105 million, in order to help them have a stable job and steady income, thereby empowering them to rise up, and raising their confidence to integrate into their communities.

Empowering individuals with disabilities to be self-reliant

Apart from providing livelihoods support for individuals with disabilities, authorities at local level have worked with the Da Nang Branch of Viet Nam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) to facilitate them to get access to a loan for economic development.

Mrs. Nguyen Thi Lanh, a resident of Thanh Khe District, has a mobility impairment. Not surrendering to fate, she pushed herself forward and started a business with brand Nam Nhi Phuc to offer home-made organic food.

Initially, Lanh faced many difficulties because she had no capital and limited customers, so the number of her sold products was lower than expected. After receiving advice from the Association of People with Disabilities in Thanh Khe district, Mrs. Lanh boldly borrowed VND 50 million from Thanh Khe District Branch of VBSP to expand her business. After having capital, Mrs. Lanh poured money in creating more product packaging design, developing new products, and promoting product advertisement.

Thanks to her quality and reputable products, Mrs. Lanh's food brand has been introduced at local trade fairs which were organized by Thanh Khe District Farmers' Association. Her effective customer retention strategy has supported her food business to maintain a healthy stable of loyal customers and bring in new customers, thereby helping her have a steady income to support her three children's education. Not only did she excel in economic development, Mrs. Lanh has also actively participated in cultural, physical training and sports activities for people with disabilities. Moreover, she has been active in raising funds for Lunar New Year’s gifts for disabled women in difficult circumstances.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Yen, a resident of Hai Chau district, has the same situation as Mrs. Land. Not discouraged, Ms. Yen tried her best to study and graduated with a master's degree in social work. Realizing that school pupils' demand for foreign languages ​​learning is quite high, Ms. Yen boldly borrowed VND 100 million from Hai Chau District Branch of VBSP to open an English and Chinese Language Center at home.

With the capital she had, Ms. Yen bought tables, chairs, projectors and upgraded equipment and rooms for teaching. From there, Ms. Yen created a model of teaching foreign languages ​​with good quality, thereby providing an opportunity to work as a teaching assistant for people with disabilities and their capable children. With the support from authorities at local level and associations at all levels, Ms. Yen has implemented such community support programs as opening free foreign language classes for youth with disabilities nationwide, along with similar classes for older adults to improve their memory and enhance their knowledge.

In 2021, Ms. Yen wrote a project proposal to call on the Abilis Foundation in Viet Nam to support nearly VND 67 million for individuals with disabilities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2023-2024 school year, Ms. Yen raised funds to give health insurance cards to 12 students who are children of people with disabilities in Hai Chau District.

According to Chairman of the Da Nang Disabled People's Association Truong Cong Nghiem, in recent times, associations at all levels and authorities at local level have created the most favorable conditions for individuals with disabilities to get access to preferential loans from  the Da Nang branch of VBSP. In 2023, 38 disabled people had access to a loan valued at VND 20-100 million, with a total disbursed capital of more than VND 2.57 billion to help them develop economy in an attempt to help them earn income and stabilize their lives, thereby empowering them to rise up and raising their confidence to integrate into their communities.

Reporting by LAM PHUONG – Translating by H.L, P.TRA