The Nghe An Association of the Blind celebrates its 30th anniversary.

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of July 17th in Vinh City, the Nghe An Association of the Blind held a ceremony to celebrate its 30th anniversary (July 17, 1985 – July 17, 2015) and outlined its direction and tasks for the coming years.

Attending the ceremony were Comrade Le Xuan Dai – Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; representatives from various departments and agencies; and 120 outstanding members from local associations.

Attending the 30th anniversary celebration were 120 exemplary members from 218 grassroots branches.

Cultural performance to welcome the anniversary celebration of the Vinh City branch of the Association of the Blind.

Along with the development of the Vietnam Association of the Blind, the Nghe Tinh Association of the Blind was established on July 17, 1985. In 1991, after the province's division, the Association changed its name to the Nghe An Association of the Blind... Over the past 30 years, the Nghe An Association of the Blind has matured and developed both in breadth and depth, becoming a large mass organization with nearly 2,700 members operating in 218 branches throughout the province. During its operation, the Association has organized hundreds of training courses on agricultural extension, vocational training, and skills transfer using a hands-on approach, facilitating members and their families in developing their economic activities; established 15 centralized production facilities making items such as toothpicks, brooms, incense, and rattan products; and 11 traditional massage establishments, creating jobs for 453 workers. With the support of the association, many blind members have overcome their inferiority complex, integrated into the community, and participated in effective economic development activities, contributing to poverty reduction. Currently, the poverty rate among blind members is 26.9%, a decrease of 3% compared to the 2005-2010 period.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Duc – Chairman of the Nghe An Association of the Blind – presented a paper at the conference.

The Association places special emphasis on cultural and educational work to care for the spiritual well-being of the blind. From the provincial level to the grassroots, there is always a focus on eradicating illiteracy, popularizing Braille, English, and applying information technology for its members. It can be said that bringing cultural enlightenment and gradually raising the intellectual level of the blind is one of the great achievements the Association has accomplished over the past 30 years.

Comrade Le Xuan Dai – Standing Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province – presented certificates of commendation to individuals who had made outstanding contributions to the development of the Nghe An Provincial Association of the Blind during the period 1985-2015.

On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the Nghe An Association of the Blind also presented the "For the Happiness of the Blind" commemorative medal - a prestigious award from the Vietnam Association of the Blind - to leaders of several agencies in the province.

On this occasion, the Nghe An Provincial Association of the Blind received a commendation flag from the Provincial People's Committee; and three individuals received certificates of merit for their contributions to the development of the Nghe An Provincial Association of the Blind from 1985 to 2015. The Association also presented the "For the Happiness of the Blind" commemorative medal - a prestigious award from the Vietnam Association of the Blind - to leaders of several agencies in the province.

Ngoc Anh