USAID Supports Local Non-Profit Associations to Enhance Community-Based Inclusive Development in Laos through Okard Project.
Recap of CBID activities implemented in Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet and Sekong.
Photo credit: World Education Laos
Vientiane Capital, 8 August, 2024 – The Okard project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), proudly announces the official signing of sub-grant agreements between World Education (WE) and two local non-profit association (NPAs): the Quality of Life Association (QLA), and the Association for Rural Mobilization and Improvement (ARMI) in July 2024. Together, they will co-implement Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID) activities, collaborating with local authorities across northern and southern Laos.
Under these subgrants, USAID provides $ 2 million of combined funding to both organizations, part of a $15 million agreement for Phase II of the Okard project (2024-2027) between USAID and World Education. The grants will see QLA and ARMI, together with local officials, offer assistance to over 2,000 vulnerable individuals, including unexploded ordnance (UXO) survivors and persons with disabilities, across 212 villages in five target districts in three provinces. Notably, QLA will lead the CBID model in
Kham and Khoun Districts of Xieng Khouang Province, while ARMI will oversee the implementation in Sepon and Nong Districts in Savannakhet Province, and Dakchueng District in Sekong Province.
The CBID model is evidence-based and takes a practical, comprehensive approach to promoting social inclusion, resilience, empowerment, and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. It involves assessing and analyzing the unmet needs of persons with disabilities, prioritizing interventions to meet those needs, improving their function, increasing income and well-being, and removing barriers that hinder participation and inclusion in society on an equal basis with others through case management. Simultaneously, the model encourages different community stakeholders to work together to identify priorities, solutions and create opportunities for inclusion, thereby mobilizing people and resources through positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and practices, leading to a sustainable, and inclusive community.
The signing of these subgrant agreements marks a significant milestone for the Okard project, supported by USAID and local NPAs, in collaboration with the Government of Laos, to enhance the independence and quality of life of persons with disabilities through equal access to health, economic opportunities, and social engagement, ensuring that no one is left behind.
USAID Okard supports 520,000,000 LAK for Income Generation Activities (IGA) for persons with disabilities and their households in Xieng Khouang and Savannakhet.
“After my participation in the business plan development training with the Okard project to get ready and well equipped for starting my own business, I am so glad to receive the motorbike parts and other materials to develop my shop and provide good services to customers.” – Mr. Nota’s caregiver from Hib Village, Kham District, Xieng Khouang Province. Nota is a USAID Okard beneficiary who has an intellectual impairment.
From August through December 2021, the USAID Okard Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) team provided livestock such as goats, chickens, pigs, and fish, and equipment such as motorbike parts, tractor parts, and grocery items, valued at more than 282,000,000 LAK to 90 households of persons with disabilities in Kham District, Xieng Khouang Province, and items valued at more than 238,000,000 LAK to 86 households of persons with disabilities in Xayphouthong District, Savannakhet Province. These assets are intended to support households to start or strengthen their own business. Recipients attended various income generation 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 their businesses.
One of the priorities of the USAID Okard CBID project is ensuring that no one is harmed or fatally injured from Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) while initiating or expanding a farming IGA. Therefore, prior to the handover of livestock, USAID Okard coordinated with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the National Regulatory Authority for UXO, and UXO-Lao to clear the land of 33 households of persons with disabilities who live in the high-risk UXO areas in Kham District, Xieng Khouang. Now they can pursue their chosen farm IGA 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 jeopardize their financial stability.
“These 100 chickens are keeping me busy, but I like it that way, 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 the skills to manage the livestock effectively so I can sell some of them for a good price and start saving money.” – Ms. Dern from Phonthan Village, Xayphouthong District, Savannakhet Province. Dern is a USAID Okard beneficiary with difficulties in mobility.
USAID Okard, funded by USAID and implemented by World Education, Inc., Humanity & Inclusion, Quality of Life Association (QLA), and 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.