“I felt to be cared and sympathized when I joined the activities,” said Le Nhat Linh who is a student of Grade 4 in Hai Truong School and has one broken eye. “I’m very excited with the contests so I wish to take part in more activities in the coming time.”

“My health isn’t good so I often feel tired when learning or doing anything. My parents can’t afford me to go to hospital usually,” said a Grade-5-student, Nguyen Van Cam, who is reported to suffer from inborn cardiac disease. “Attending the contests is so interesting because I like to paint and write about people with disabilities, especially those who find it hard to go to school.”

The event was organized by World Vision’s Hai Lang Area Development Program on occasion of Vietnam Day for Protection and Care of People with Disabilities. The ADP also held discussions, raising awareness and music shows for more than 320 members of self-help groups of people with disabilities on the day.

Currently, World Vision is supporting 36 self-help groups of adults living with disabilities and clubs for disabled children.

Official statistics reveal that Vietnam has more than 5.3 million disabled people which account for 6.34% population. Around two million are children with disabilities. Disabilities among children mainly arise from congenital defects, various diseases, war-related injuries, and accidents.