The ‘Hearts are not disabled’ programme, part of activities to mark Vietnam Day for People with Disabilities (April 18), also called for more joint efforts in helping the disabled improve their livelihoods and integrate into the community.
Addressing the event, Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan hailed efforts by the disabled nationwide to gain achievements in economics, politics and society while thanking associations of the disabled and domestic and foreign donors for their practical actions for the Vietnamese people with disabilities over the past 35 years since the Day was launched
Joakim Parker, Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), highlighted that the US wishes to continue its co-operation with Vietnam to provide support for the disabled.
He said that the Agency has collaborated with social organisations to back programmes on medical services, education and jobs for the people with disabilities.
At the event, the organising board presented gifts to 20 outstanding disabled people and certificate of merits to individuals and organisations with contributions to providing vocational training for the disabled in recent years.
Earlier in Ho Chi Minh City on April 17, a donation worth VND16 billion (US$1.2 million) was raised to efforts on caring the disabled and orphans through the 12th charity arts programme ‘One Heart- One World’.
The annual event aims to honour donors and disabled people and orphans who overcame their difficulties in life nationwide as well as connecting individuals and organisations towards supporting the groups.
