Stories: Children, Community, Future

Mr. Nong Van Chuan has been participating in ChildFund’s projects since 2009. As a person with disability himself, Chuan, leader of the Self-help Group – the first network of people with disabilities in ChildFund’s 6 project communes always gives his best to help the local group members improve their livelihoods, gain confidence and have a better understanding of the Government’s support policies.

Mr. Nong Van Chuan, excerpted from “Children’s right to study” by Bac Kan Radio and Television (TBK).

Na Ri district, where he lives, currently has nearly 1,000 people with disabilities, among them 650 are receiving social benefits. With the desire to further support the local group of people with disabilities, Mr. Chuan led the campaign committee to establish an organization of persons with disabilities (OPD) in Na Ri district. People’s Committee of Bac Kan province’s decision to approve the establishment on 1 September is the rewarding result from tireless efforts of the persons with disabilities group in Na Ri and technical support from the Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC) and ChildFund through the projects “We can” (VN05-002) and “My right to education” (VN04-035) since 2018. This is the first organization of persons with disabilities in ChildFund Vietnam project areas, and is an important milestone marking the growth and development of local people with disabilities groups.

On the morning of 21 September, ChildFund Vietnam, the OPD and representatives of the People’s Committee of Na Ri district held a meeting to discuss operation and development of the OPD during the 2021-2025 period. With support from departments, agencies, local authorities and ChildFund, the OPD is expected to be a “second home” to support persons with disabilities in integrating into the community, participating in social activities and contributing to local development.

Although the road ahead is full of difficulties and challenges, this will be the first step on the Organization’s proud journey to “Leave no one behind” (Sam Thi Nhat, member of the OPD in Na Ri district).