for her outstanding work in developing resource to enable persons with disabilities in Vietnam to fully participate in society and promote their equal opportunities.
The Kazuo Itoga Memorial Prize was named after the late Mr. Kazuo Itoga who tirelessly devoted himself to improve the welfare of the disabled, and promote respect for their human rights. The Kazuo Itoga Memorial Foundation was established in 1997 in Japan to carry on Mr. Itoga’s legacy, aiming at building an integrated society that ensures the well-beings of the disabled and their families. With this view, the Prize is awarded each year to individuals who have contributed outstanding services toward the promotion of welfare for the disabled. The award ceremony will be held at Piazza Hall (Shiga Prefectural Citizens Exchange Center) Konan City, Shiga, Japan, on November 19, 2009.
Vo Thi Hoang Yen, who is a polio survivor, completed her Master degree in Human Development at the University of Kansas (2002 – 2004). After her return to Vietnam, Yen established her own organization, Disability Resource and Development (DRD). www.drdvietnam.com. DRD’s mission is to promote full participation of, and equal opportunities for, people with disabilities (PWDs)in all spheres of society.Goals of DRD
- Enhancing the disability - equality awareness of society members and PWDs themselves.
- Building capacity for PWDs and groups/organizations of PWDs.
- Paving the way for the development of the training course on Social Work with PWDs at Ho Chi Minh City Open University.
- Peer counseling. Peer counselors facilitate discussion amongst PWDs about concerns, struggles, and successes in life.
- Employment services, including job placement and advice for employers of PWDs.
- Training and Workshops in job skills, life-skills, leadership and fundraising to encourage ownership.
- The Hearing Impairment Club provides sign language and English classes and a support group.
- The women with a disability group meets monthly.
- DRD provides many opportunities to volunteer.
- DRD is networking disability NGOs in the south of Vietnam.
Vo Thi Hoang Yen can be contacted at
Disability Resource and Development - DRD
134/1 Thanh Thai, Dist.10, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam,
Email: Địa chỉ email này đã được bảo vệ từ spam bots, bạn cần kích hoạt Javascript để xem nó. Website: www.drdvietnam.com
------------------
Picture above : Vo Thi Hoang Yen speaking at an event launching the Mentoring Program of her organization
Disability Resource and Development (DRD) Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City in April 2008
Vo Thi Hoang Yen singing the aspiration to give back to the community at a “Live for the Communities” event held in Ho Chi Minh City in May 2006