Persons with disabilities given opportunities for income generation

Persons with disabilities and their households in Xieng Khuang and Savannakhet provinces are set to benefit from income generating activities, thanks to support from the Okard project.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) project has provided 520 million kip to carry out various income generating activities.
Under the project, the CBID team has provided livestock such as goats, chickens, pigs and fish, and equipment such as motorbike parts, tractor parts and grocery

Persons with disabilities get support from Okard Community Based Inclusive Development.

items, valued at more than 282 million kip, to 90 households of persons with disabilities in Kham district, Xieng Khuang province.
In addition, items valued at more than 238 million kip were given to 86 households of persons with disabilities in Xaiphouthong district, Savannakhet province.
These items are intended to help households to start or strengthen small businesses.
Recipients have attended various income generating training sessions, including business plan development, financial literacy training, technical training, advice about suitable locations for businesses, and household and personal finance management training, in order to help them build a business.
One of the priorities of the USAID Okard CBID project is to ensure that no one is harmed or fatally injured by unexploded ordnance (UXO) while setting up or expanding farm-based income generating activities.
Before the animals were handed over to the beneficiaries, USAID Okard worked with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the National Regulatory Authority for UXO, and UXO-Lao to remove any UXO from land belonging to 33 households of persons with disabilities who live in high-risk UXO areas of Kham district.
This means people can pursue their chosen farm income generating activity with limited risks to their safety. Through USAID Okard’s support, more persons with disabilities and their households are now able to initiate or expand a business, increase their household income, and start saving, to prevent any risks of unexpected out of pocket expenses that might jeopardise their financial stability.
“After my participation in business plan training with the Okard project to get ready and well equipped to start my own business, I am so glad to receive motorbike parts and other items to expand my shop so I can provide good services to customers,” said Mr Nota’s caregiver from Hib village in Kham district.
Nota is a USAID Okard beneficiary who has an intellectual impairment.
Ms Dern, who is a USAID Okard beneficiary with difficulties in mobility, from Phonthan village in Xaiphouthong district, said the chickens given to her by the project would help her to earn money.
“These 100 chickens are keeping me busy, but I like it that way, as knowing that I have a lot of chickens that can help with my family’s income and enable us to sustain our finances. Thank you to USAID Okard for providing me with the assets and skills to manage the chickens properly so I can sell some of them for a good price and start saving money,” Ms Dern said.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., Humanity & Inclusion, Quality of Life Association (QLA), and the Association for Rural Mobilisation and Improvement (ARMI), improves access to quality healthcare and economic opportunities for persons with disabilities, and supports the design and implementation of disability inclusive policies.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 28, 2021)