Writing stories of hope, empowering people with disabilities

Sharing about the current situation of people with disabilities at the event on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3), organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Vietnam in collaboration with United Nations agencies, Ms. Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said that there are currently more than 1.2 billion people in the world, accounting for about 15% of the population, with disabilities. In Vietnam, the community of people with disabilities accounts for nearly 7% of the population - equivalent to nearly 7 million people.

“Every day, they face many challenges in their studies, work and social life. However, amidst these difficulties, there are many examples of overcoming difficulties, many breakthrough initiatives and valuable contributions that people with disabilities bring to the community. Accordingly, empowering and honoring the disabled community is the motivation for them to rise up in life,” said Ms. Pauline Tamesis.

Ms. Nguyen Hong Hanh - Director of TokyoLife Happiness shared about the Angel project and Corporate Social Responsibility to the community at VSMCamp 2024. Photo: Do ​​Nga

In order to support people with disabilities to have jobs and reintegrate into the community, many domestic enterprises have implemented a series of support programs. For example, TokyoLife - a system of fashion and smart home appliance brands originating from Japan - has applied many practical models and projects.

Sharing with reporters of Cong Thuong Newspaper, Ms. Nguyen Hong Hanh - Director of TokyoLife Happiness said that in the context of Vietnam having more than 2.5 million disabled people in need of jobs, TokyoLife has oriented itself as a social enterprise in Vietnam to develop a recruitment, training and integration process specifically for people with disabilities.

“With the determination to bring positive changes to people with disabilities in Vietnam, the Angel project – an initiative to create sustainable jobs for people with disabilities, is the first step, answering the question “What can TokyoLife do to help people?”. Accordingly, TokyoLife has built a sustainable employment model with 4 Angel Houses, Anh Sang Garment Factory and Angel Cafe in Hanoi and Da Nang. Our goal is to help as many people with disabilities as possible, helping them learn a trade, find a job and develop in their environment” – – Ms. Hanh said.

TokyoLife is actively preparing to open free sewing classes for the deaf, with the goal of training 200 or more skilled workers each year, so that they all have the opportunity to find jobs. Photo: TokyoLife

According to Ms. Hanh, TokyoLife is maintaining and expanding the Angel project model every day to not only help people with disabilities write stories of hope, empowerment, work and contribution. At the same time, through the project, TokyoLife hopes to inspire other businesses to do the same to create more and more jobs for people with disabilities.

“Our goal when implementing projects is not to give people with disabilities fish, but to give them fishing rods and “happy fishing lakes” so that people with disabilities can fish by themselves, creating value and meaning for themselves and society,” said Ms. Hanh.

In addition, TokyoLife's Happiness Director revealed that to help people with disabilities have the opportunity to find jobs, TokyoLife is preparing to open a free sewing class for the hearing impaired, with the goal of training 200 or more skilled workers each year.

The chain of “silent stores” – Angel House has 80% of its employees being deaf, and they have gradually asserted their abilities and integrated more confidently. Photo: TokyoLife

In addition, to support disabled employees more easily in the working process, TokyoLife now has an “Angel Care” department. Through this, TokyoLife has effectively narrowed the gap between disabled employees and non-disabled people, encouraging a culture of empathy, understanding and mutual respect.

In particular, emphasizing the importance of sign language in promoting social integration, creating the value of equal and humane communication with the deaf community, Gia Nguyen - an "angel" at TokyoLife shared that using sign language is not only a way to support the deaf community to integrate but also a bridge to remove barriers between cultural groups. The deaf are very proud of being a community with their own language and voice.

“As Dr. King Jordan, the first deaf person to be appointed president of Gallaudet University, USA, once said: “Deaf people can do everything that hearing people can do, except hear.” Therefore, TokyoLife always aims to build a community where every individual has the opportunity to develop, affirm their own values, help their families and then contribute to society,” said Ms. Hanh.

TokyoLife always aims to build a community where every individual has the opportunity to develop, affirm their own values, help their family and then contribute to society. Photo: TokyoLife

Through many activities, TokyoLife has been creating an equal and united working environment for 142 people with disabilities in the factory, office and throughout the store system.

The Angel Project is not only for TokyoLife but also an initiative to help other businesses shape employment models for people with disabilities. Therefore, the Angel Project will continue to spread positive values ​​to the community. The replication of the project model will contribute to spreading to more people, thereby helping the disabled community to have jobs, helping them create more values ​​for themselves, helping their families and then contributing to society.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/tokyolife-viet-nen-cau-chuyen-hy-vong-trao-quyen-binh-dang-cho-nguoi-khuet-tat-363459.html