Through effectively implementing policies and practical measures in recent years, Hanoi has helped improve the quality of life of orphans and the disabled.

According to Hanoi’s Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the city has nearly 100,000 people with disabilities and almost 10,000 orphans.

The capital city is caring for around 2,520 disadvantaged people, most of who are handicapped or orphans, at 11 community social centres.

Hanoi sets aside 800 billion VND (37 million USD) from its annual budget for social beneficiaries, including the handicapped and orphans.

In the past five years, the Hanoi Disabled People Association mobilised 34 billion VND (1.57 million USD) for providing 343 disabled people with vocational training, 1,709 wheelchairs, 2,389 scholarships, and nearly 1,000 free medical examinations.

Dinh Hanh, Chairman of the association, said to care for social beneficiaries in Hanoi, current efforts are commendable, helping to encourage kind acts from individuals and organisations.

Besides receiving assistance, many of the disabled have become shining examples, creating jobs not only for themselves but for others as well.

Nguyen Trung from Kim Lien, Dong Da district, surmounted his childhood paralysis to receive a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages and become an employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Trung and his friend then founded the ‘For a Bright Future’ group with the goal to help the disabled overcome hardships and improve their lives.

He also opened a workshop to manufacture and repair wheelchairs at home.

Another aspiring story comes from one of the 8,000 blind people in Hanoi.

Tran Duc Nam in Xuan Non commune, Dong Anh district, went blind after a traffic accident when he was in the sixth grade, but continued as a student, ultimately attending the Hanoi Open University.

Nam was able to build his own two-storey house from his savings.

There are also admirable stories from those who have donated their time and skills to the disadvantaged and orphans.

Nguyen Thi Coi, a retired teacher in Hoang Van Thu ward, Hoang Mai district, has taught nearly 600 children, including over 200 disabled children.

Nguyen Thi Vui, Head of the cooperative Ngo Ha in Chuyen My commune, Phu Xuyen district, has opened around 70 classes to provide professional training to more than 2,000 disabled people and orphans in Hanoi and neighbouring provinces.

The association suggested the city should boost media campaigns to elicit sympathy and responsibility from the community to offer their assistance to the disabled and orphans.-VNA