Caritas Australia’s CEO visits partners in Vietnam
17 Jul 24
Caritas Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty Robertson, recently visited our partners Catholic Relief Services and the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development in Vietnam to witness some of their disability projects in action.
During her time there, Kirsty visited an Organisation of Persons with Disabilities, where people with disability are supported in producing goods they can sell. This includes pillows and handbags, as well as paper flowers, which Kirsty learnt how to make.
One of the women who Kirsty met is a program participant who lives with a fused spine and is confined to a wheelchair in the prone position gifted Kirsty a dream catcher.
“I give you this in the hope that your dreams come true. I know your dreams may be big but mine are simple. I wanted a wheelchair to live an independent life...”
“I wanted to go to physical therapy - in the distant hope of one day walking again... My hope is rekindled, and my dignity restored,” she said.
Kirsty said of the meeting, “It is easy to think about big projects and big problems. To dehumanise poverty. But this reminded me that we will be remembered by how we make people feel. Through the power of Caritas Australia and its partners our generosity can make people feel safe, loved and content. We are a beacon of light for people and so every small act of service, every donation, it matters, and it contributes to creating a more just world.”
About our Vietnam partners
Thanks to your generosity and support, Caritas Australia is able to work with local partners to implement programs designed to drive disability inclusion by building awareness among communities and providing essential life skills training to people living with disability.
The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development
The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) is one our local partners in Vietnam, and they are dedicated to promoting sustainable development in rural areas.
We work closely with SRD to support people with disabilities in the Quang Tri province through the Together We Can project.
The project helps to improve the health, wellbeing and economic status of people living with a disability through income generation activities, rehabilitation support and inclusive disaster risk reduction training.
Catholic Relief Services
Caritas Australia works closely with our partner Catholic Relief Services to help deliver the I-SHINE + project.
The project is designed to support people with disabilities – especially children, youth, and women, to improve their capacity to enjoy a safe living environment, improved education, health care and social services.
With your support and that of our partner, the project works with communities in the Quang Tri and Quang Nam provinces, which have the highest concentration of people and children with disabilities compared to other regions.