Caritas Australia is a valued partner of the Australian Government, receiving flexible funding under the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) each year to implement development and poverty alleviation programs overseas.  

ANCP is the government’s longest running program, having recently celebrated its 50th year. It currently benefits 4.8 million people globally via 59 NGOs delivering 400 programs in 50 countries. 

With the support of ANCP, and through partnerships with local organisations and Church networks, Caritas Australia reaches where the need is greatest. In the past year this has seen 938,726 people reach worldwide, through 17 programs in 13 countries. 

One beneficiary of the partnership between Caritas Australia and ANCP is Thu from Vietnam, and his wife Linh. 

When Thu was 12 years old, he lost his leg after stepping on an unexploded land mine from the Vietnam War. Living with a disability in rural Vietnam presented many challenges for Thu, who worked as a rice farmer. After his wife, Linh, suffered a stroke, Thu also had to take on the additional role as the carer for his wife. 

“She is my wife, and we have been living together and depending on each other, I am the one to be there with her and for her,” says Thu. “She almost lost herself after the stroke and had to lean on me. I could understand how she felt because I had experienced the same at the age of 12 after a landmine accident took one of my legs.”  

Thu joined the Vietnam Disability Program, supported by Caritas Australia through our local partners, the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD).  

“Many people with a disability in Vietnam feel that other people would only look at their disabilities rather than at their capacities,” says Toan Tran, SRD Program Manager. “Most adults and children with disabilities are from low-income groups and people with disabilities and their families have minimal opportunities to access health care service, education, income generation, vocational training and jobs.” 

Through the program, Thu learnt livelihood, financial and independent living skills and joined a Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), where he could interact with other people with disabilities. The VSLA helped Thu to obtain a loan so that he could set up a barber shop and earn extra income to support his family. The project also helped him build an accessible toilet for Linh, who has also become more independent thanks to the support of a physiotherapist.  

Thu also joined an incense-making group and with the extra income he was able to repair his house and reconstruct his front yard to prevent flooding during the rainy season. He now plans to invest in livestock, such as pigs, ducks, or chickens, to further diversify his income streams.  

Before he joined the program, Thu mostly stayed at home and had limited contact with other people in his neighbourhood. The VSLA provides a welcoming and inclusive space for people with a disability like Thu and Linh to socialise, learn and support each other. The couple also participated in training in Disaster Risk Reduction, disability rights, photo-voice technology, rehabilitation, livelihood, and independent living skills.  

For Thu, the greatest impact that the program has had is seeing the change in Linh’s physical and mental wellbeing. With the support of a physiotherapist, Linh can now walk short distances with the aid of a walking stick.  

“Before my economic and emotional life was difficult. Now I’m spiritually happier and more relaxed. I am grateful to Caritas Australia for the help they give to people living with disability like me and my wife,” Thu says. “Thank you to Caritas Australia and the Australian people."