On July 30 morning, getting permission from Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee, the Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC) coordinated with the Project Management Unit and the Provincial Organization of Persons with Disabilities to hold an online closing ceremony of “Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities Project (RVCO)” in Thua Thien Hue Province for the period 2018 - 2021.
The ceremony was virtually attended by USAID/Vietnam Mission Director Ann Marie Yastishock, ACDC Director Nguyen Thi Lan Anh, and delegates from the divisions of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, municipal health centers, municipal organizations of persons with disabilities, etc. Especially at the bridge point in Thua Thien Hue Province, there was also Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Member of the Provincial Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Committee, representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Department of Planning and Investment, press agencies, and partners of the project.
Photo: Participants were watching a short reportage video on the project's outcomes in Thua Thien Hue Province.
The event started with a short reportage video summarizing the activities and results achieved during 3 years of project. Mr. Ho Dan, Head of the Project Management Unit, affirmed in his opening remarks: “Throughout 3 years of implementation, despite facing many difficulties such as floods and COVID-19 epidemic, with the attention of the local government, the funding of USAID, and the coordination of ACDC and relevant agencies, the project has attained its goals, objectives, and tasks so far.”
In her speech, Ms. Yastishock highly appreciated the attention and direction of local authorities at all levels, the participation and cooperation of the partners, especially the contribution of ACDC and the Project Management Unit. She asserted that Thua Thien Hue Province had always been a strategic partner of USAID in assisting persons with disabilities. As USAID had been going through formalities required for the second phase of the project, she expressed hope that the local government would continue to forge long-term cooperation and facilitate the coming phase.
Photo: Mr. Ho Dan was presenting the project outcomes report.
After that, Mr. Ho Dan presented the project outcomes report, highlighting the achieved goals, difficulties, challenges, and recommendations for relevant agencies to create favorable conditions and provide support for persons with disabilities at the highest level. Specifically, the project helped more than 2,000 turns of people raise their awareness about accessibility, gender, independent living, and health care for persons with disabilities, disability inclusion, social work, etc. The empowerment of persons with disabilities was increased through the project’s activities of monitoring the implementation of local policies on disabilities. By the end of June 2021, ACDC’s Law Department had helped about 1,168 turns of persons with disabilities and their families with free legal advice. Additionally, transition house models at Phu Vang District’s Health Center and Phong Dien District’s Health Center were successfully piloted. This was a highlight of the project that brought many practical benefits to health care for persons with disabilities.
Photo: Mr. Thanh Binh recognized the achievements of the RVCO project in Thua Thien Hue Province.
In the same manner, Mr. Thanh Binh recognized the achieved outcomes of the project during the last few years. He emphasized that these achievements had contributed to assisting persons with disabilities and ensuring social security, which helped build a strong foundation for the province's economic development. “In the upcoming period, Thua Thien Hue Province will continue to pay attention to and facilitate USAID’s and ACDC’s activities in the locality if the next phase of the project is implemented. In addition, the local government will continue to pay attention and direct the Project Management Unit, Departments of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs, Department of Health, and relevant agencies to keep advancing the project," promised he.
Photo: Participants were taking a picture at the closing ceremony.
After listening to the sharing of local government leaders, sponsors, and stakeholders, Ms. Lan Anh responded: "Speaking about the next phase of the project, ACDC ensures companionship with and constant support for persons with disabilities in Thua Thien Hue Province, contributing to socio-economic development of the province."
The RVCO project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was implemented in 3 provinces, namely Quang Tri, Quang Nam, and Thua Thien Hue. During its process of implementation, the project had a positive impact on support for persons with disabilities in general and for those in Thua Thien Hue Province in particular. Although the 3-year journey has ended, the RVCO project will still be developed and replicated, creating more accessible environments for persons with disabilities so that they can confidently integrate with the community.
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