Our advocacy campaign in Vietnam includes efforts to sensitize fully abled persons to the needs of PWD’s through a variety of communication means and media. This we do on a daily basis. Beyond this our people often demonstrate, by example, how learning opportunities at Reaching Out improved their lives. Several of our young disabled staff use their own free time to provide assistance to other persons with disabilities or to promote awareness of the barriers faced by PWD’s. Their efforts breathe life into our name Reaching Out. Here are just two examples of our people working as advocates.
Trung, Ceramic & metalwork Group Leader
Trung is the Team Leader in our Ceramic Corner. Despite his speech and hearing impairment his heightened sense of touch allows him to “hear” the vibrations while creating his decorative brass and copper pieces. His strong artistic flair allows him to create exquisite silkscreen designs as well. His has earned the respect of his team.
…learning to communicate is the first step for someone with a hearing or speech impairment to integrate fully with society.
Many people with speech and hearing impairments in Hoi An can not communicate with others because they have not had the opportunity to learn the skill of signing. Fortunate enough to learn sign language himself, Trung wanted to help others. He set up a club to teach sign language to those who have not had the chance to learn.
Trung knows that learning to communicate is the first step for someone with a hearing or speech impairment to integrate fully with society. Watching students slowly gain confidence through the ability to read, write and communicate and also become curious about the world around them, has been thoroughly satisfying for Trung. He believes that these life skills will propel his students towards a happier and more fulfilled life.
The Club also welcomes hearing people interested in learning how to sign, so that they too will be able to communicate with the deaf community and act as translators. Trung’s service to his community in Quang Nam province typifies our aim at Reaching Out to be strong advocates for the disabled.
Nguyen, Jewelry & paper Group Leader
Nguyen, a multi-talented individual, is not only an artisan but someone who knows too well what it is like to grow up in a difficult financial situation. Nguyen has a deep desire to share his time, effort and resources with others who are faced with difficulties similar to those of his early life. He counts himself blessed and is happy to share his good fortune with others and to reach out to those in his community who are disadvantaged, through his involvement with Yellow Bee a local charity. His work involves sharing information and pictures about Yellow Bee’s projects and fund raising efforts through social media as well as visitations to the poor. He finds the work motivating and rewarding.
Nguyen has a deep desire to share his time, effort and resources with others who are faced with difficulties similar to those of his early life.
Nguyen is also an activist for the rights of the disabled and has participated in work groups in Hanoi to raise awareness about the barriers facing the disabled community. He has been a wheel chair athlete and is a talented singer. By bringing hope and inspiration to his community, Nguyen is a fine example of the Reaching Out slogan “Yes You Can”.