We All Win
Written by Lê Khánh, Nguyễn Thị Tình, Nguyễn Kim Ngân
“Everyone competing today is a winner,” said Mr Hoang Duc Dzung at a sports day held to celebrate Vietnam Persons with Disabilities Day on 18th April. Over 150 people with disabilities participated in the sporting events, which were organised in Vinh Linh district and Hai Lang district in Quang Tri province.
All the athletes are winners
“All the athletes are winners because they’re overcoming their reticence to get involved in life,” explained Mr Dzung, who runs a club for people with disabilities in Vinh Linh. “The gold medal we all want to achieve is integration into society”.
Mr Dzung added that the best athletes from the local event would be invited to a provincial competition to be held in May. “All of us – the athletes, organisers and spectators – are really excited about the local competition,” he said.
The sports events – organised by World Vision in cooperation with local Associations for People with Disabilities and the Department for Gym and Sports – were held as part of this year’s goal to remove barriers to the creation of an inclusive and accessible society for all.
“I’ve had the chance to meet other people like me,” said Ms Phan Thi Lan, an athlete with disabilities from Hai Lang. “We’ve talked with each other and eaten together, as well as doing the sports events. It’s been a really great experience,” she continued. “If similar events are organised in the future, all of us here today will come again, even though there’s no financial help to attend.”
World Vision works in partnership with other organisations
World Vision is working with and for people with disabilities in partnership with local authorities and other local organisations. As such, adults and children with disabilities, their parents and teachers have taken part in a series of meetings, forums and workshops that gave them the opportunity to discuss pressing issues with local leaders, health officials and lawmakers.
Specifically, the sessions highlighted social and educational inclusion, physical rehabilitation and government policies affecting people with disabilities. The discussions were held in Cam Thuy district in Thanh Hoa province, Trieu Phong district in Quang Tri province, Nong Son district in Quang Nam province, and Ho Chi Minh City’s District 8.
Giving people with disabilities the chance to express their opinions and hopes
“The meetings give people with disabilities the chance to express their opinions and hopes to those with influence over their lives,” commented Luu Cong Dinh, who leads World Vision’s programme in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. “Our sessions also give locals with disabilities feelings of encouragement and support from others in their communities.”
Mr Luu explained that local government officials recognise the importance of World Vision’s annual events for people with disabilities and support policies to help such children and adults in their communities.
To date, World Vision has established more than 70 clubs across the country for children and adults with disabilities. The clubs raise awareness of government policies on disability and provide opportunities for members to generate more income. The clubs also offer fun and educational activities for children with disabilities to participate in with their non-disabled contemporaries.
In addition, World Vision has trained health workers in physiotherapy for children and adults with disabilities and teachers have been taught appropriate and inclusive teaching methods for pupils with disabilities.