Charity
People with disabilities empowered through sports
  • | dtinews.vn | July 18, 2011 02:07 PM

Two international non-governmental organisations have donated 20 sport wheelchairs worth around USD6,400 to Vietnamese people with disabilities.

The donation ceremony in Hanoi on July 17

The equipment was dontated by Australian Disability Sport and Recreation (DSR) and delivered by the Vietnam Paralympic Association in Hanoi on July 17 under East Meets West Foundation (EMW)’s “INSPIRE Sports” programme.

INSPIRE Sports identifies and strengthens a network of sports organisations, from the provincial to commune level, where people with disabilities are provided opportunities to engage in sports, alongside people without disabilities, under the guidance of trained coaches. These networks are managed by the club participants with assistance from health care workers.

In addition to providing equipment, INSPIRE Sports trains coaches on special methods for working with the disabled. The programme will also provide management training for those who run the sports organisations, and fund medical interventions such as corrective surgeries when needed.

The programme is to be piloted in the central province of Quang Tri, which has the largest number of people with disability in Vietnam, mainly due to unexploded ordnance, Agent Orange Dioxin exposure, and battle injuries. Currently, Quang Tri is home to around 37,000 people with disabilities. This figure equals about 6% of the province\'s population.

“People with disabilities are entitled to the same rights as others, and should be able to to take part in social activities and other functions in the community. INSPIRE Sports is expected to create a place where all people can play,” said Nguyen Thi Minh Thi, Director of the programme.

In order to raise awareness of and funds for the sport and recreation clinics for the disabled, EMW and DSR will develop a joint initiative entitled “Cycled Power” that will involve a group of 20 Vietnamese and Australian cyclists riding across Vietnam from July 17-28.

Leading the 540-kilometre journey will be champion handcyclist and Gary Connor, who is paraplegic. The trip is open to anyone.

“I would like to inspire people with disabilities, provide them with sport and recreational opportunities, and healing. We want to draw public attention to this issue, as well as raise awareness and support,” Gary Connor shared.

EMW has been operating in Vietnam for over 22 years, focusing on education, healthcare, clean water, and disability. To date, the foundation has invested USD83.6 million in various programmes in Vietnam, benefiting 3.2 million people.

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