On the morning of April 16, 2024, the provincial OPD collaborated with the Action to the Community Development Institute (ACDC) to organize the first-ever music competition for persons with disabilities in Quang Tri province with the theme “Aspiring hearts” in Dong Ha city. This event was part of a series of celebrations honoring the 26th anniversary of Vietnam's Day of Persons with Disabilities (April 18).
The event had the attendance of Mr. Anthony Kolb - Acting Director of the Reconciliation and Inclusive Development Office, USAID/Vietnam; Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh - Deputy Director of the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs; Mr. Nguyen Huy Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Anh - Vice President of the Vietnam Federation of Disability, Director of ACDC; Mr. Nguyen Huy Tap and Mr. Duong Van Thu, Vice Chairman of the provincial OPD; Mr. Duong Truong Khanh - Deputy Director of the provincial Culture and Cinema Center, with the presence of nearly 130 persons with disabilities and representatives of the local OPDs.
Nine teams from nine different districts, towns, and cities in the province contributed eighteen performances during the event, featuring a wide range of artistic expressions such as songs, dances, and plays about the great Uncle Ho, the glorious Party, praising the nation, the homeland, and the spirit of national solidarity; plays about independent living and gender-based violence prevention for persons with disabilities, etc. A lot of the performances were extremely heart-touching. Particularly, many plays and songs were composed and performed by persons with disabilities themselves. Consequently, the organizers awarded one first prize to the Trieu Phong district, one second prize to the Huong Hoa district, two third prizes, and five consolation prizes to the other teams.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Anthony Kolb, Acting Director of the Reconciliation and Inclusive Development Office, USAID/Vietnam, congratulated all persons with disabilities on the occasion of April 18 and highlighted the strong cooperative relationship between the United States and Vietnam, as well as committed to continuing activities in Vietnam in the future. He also hoped that with USAID's support, persons with disabilities in Vietnam would continue to look towards the future with “aspiring hearts”.
A disability resident in Huong Hoa district, Mr. H.V.L, shared: “We practiced hard for 14 days, overcoming physical obstacles or geographic distance. Even though some of us are almost ten kilometers away, we tried to get these two performances here to highlight the efforts and abilities of persons with disabilities. This competition gives us the chance to socialize with those with disabilities in other cities and districts, and brings excitement and delight to our cultural and mental lives”.
The activity is within the project “Raising Voices, Creating Opportunities” phase II, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by ACDC in Quang Tri, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Nam provinces. This activity aims to increase public awareness of the importance of creating a barrier-free society, enhancing opportunities and participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society, empowering them to be confident and united, and implementing their rights in social activities
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