DRD Provides Scholarships and Hope to the Disabled in Vietnam

The Disabled in Vietnam

According to the Vietnam General Statistics Office, 15% of the population have a disability. Among them, less than 20% have a secondary or high school degree and less than 1% have studied or graduated from a college or university (MOLISA 2006). Although quite capable of learning, some people with disability (PWD) are prevented from obtaining an education due to poverty, attitudinal or physical barriers in the community, barriers within the school and, sometimes, even from within their own families.

Take, for example, Ms. Ngo Thi Ngan who was diagnosed with polio at the age of 3. Initially, her parents did not want her to attend school but, with dreams of becoming a doctor, she eventually convinced them otherwise. After completing high school and passing the national exam to attend the University of Pharmacy, Nang was informed that she could not attend because she could not run 100 meters in 11 seconds, which was then a requirement. She tried again through the Department of Health and the Department of Education but was denied for the same reason. “My dream of becoming a doctor was destroyed.” Five years later, after moving to HCMC and working in various fields, Nang decided to try accounting. In her first year at University, she juggled both work and school but in her second year, she applied and received a scholarship, which gave her the flexibility to focus more on her studies.

The Role of Disability Resource and Development (DRD)

Disability Resource and Development (DRD), a not-for-profit organization based in Ho Chi Minh City, granted Nang that scholarship. According to DRD, people with disability face not only attitudinal and infrastructural barriers in Vietnam, but they often also lack confidence, basic education and life skills, all of which contribute to the difficulties they face when seeking work and moving out of poverty.

Ms. Huynh Ngoc Bich, was diagnosed with polio early in her life. Although she had less trouble entering and graduating from University, Bich encountered difficulty in finding a job as an English teacher. Though she could not find a job, she found ways to earn money by tutoring young people. During this time, Bich became aware of DRD, and decided to volunteer as an English teacher for a class of people with different disabilities. “My life changed when I learned about DRD,” said Bich. “I became more confident and more aware about my disability.” In 2008, Bich became an employee of DRD and now works as their Employment Coordinator. In this role, she collaborates with both job seekers and employers and tries to find suitable matches.

Since 2005, DRD has been working to support and raise awareness about issues affecting PWDs in Vietnam. Located in District 10, DRD employs 15 staff (50% are themselves disabled) and two international volunteers. DRD collaborates with other organizations that support PWDs across Southern Vietnam and has contact with over 2,000 PWDs.  Individuals and organizations can access a range of services from DRD such as counseling and mentoring, vocational training and employment matching, scholarships, resources and more.

The organization is headed by the Director, Ms. Vo Thi Hoang Yen, who was struck with polio at an early age. Despite financial challenges, Yen’s family encouraged her education and she eventually obtained a Master’s Degree in Human Development from the United States. Upon returning to Vietnam, Yen was determined to change the way PWDs are viewed in Vietnam and ensure that the opportunities denied to her are made available to others.

DRD’s employment support services were developed in response to need and requests from the disabled population in HCMC. The employer network now exceeds 300 organizations, including both Vietnamese and foreign companies. Recently, DRD introduced a pilot mentoring program, which seeks to match successful professionals as mentors to PWDs, in an effort to help guide and support them in their desired career path.

Ms. Ngan is one prospective mentee. “I am looking forward to getting a job that is suitable with my health and ability,” she said. “I want to live independently by the money that I earn by myself. I do not want to depend on family members or charity organizations any more.”

In March, DRD opened Hoi Quan Doi Rat Dep (Life is Beautiful Club House). The first of its kind in Vietnam, the Club House provides a safe and convenient setting for vocational training, a showcase for awareness-raising about the talents and successes of PWDs as well as a warm place for meeting friends, developing life skills and enjoying a social life sometimes not otherwise available.

If you would like to learn more about DRD, feel free to drop by their Club House, located just fifteen minutes from central Ho Chi Minh City. For details, please visit: www.drdvietnam.com.

Interested to support DRD?  Here are a few things you can do:

• Become a Mentor: Would you like to become a mentor for a career-oriented PWD? DRD is looking for professionals that are willing to provide approximately 6 hours per month of one-on-one support aimed at developing business skills, life skills and/or career guidance. If interested, you can contact Ms. Bich (ngocbich@drdvietnam.com) or Ms. Caroline (caroline@drdvietnam.com).
• Volunteer: DRD welcomes and appreciates skilled volunteers. Among the skills sought are social work, fundraising, marketing and communications.
• Donate (In-Kind and/or Cash): DRD is looking for funds and/or in-kind contributions to help cover the cost of its various programs and services including:
  • Scholarship and Mentoring Program (VND 12 million ensures one scholarship per student per year)
  • Club House – DRD welcomes and appreciates equipment for the kitchen and workshop areas as well as funds to support on-going maintenance of the Club House.

Contact Details:

Disability Resources and Development (Ch??ng Trình Khuyêt T?t và Phát Triên)

Address: 91/6N Hoa Hung St., Ward 12, District10, H? Chí Minh City

Tel: 84-8-3868-2770

Fax: 84-8-3868-2771

Email: info@drdvietnam.com

Website: www.drdvietnam.com

Check out some of LIN’s videos:

 

 

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc, Manager of the Hoi Quan Doi Rat Dep, talks with LIN staff about current and planned activities at the Café.

 

A college student and first time visitor to the Hoi Quan Doi Rat Dep shares his feelings about the Café and it’s capacity building programs for social work students.

 

A participant in one of DRD’s weekend training programs shares her group’s comparison of social work and charity work