- Call for Data Collection Team, USAID Okard
The USAID Okard (ໂອກາດ) Activity is guided by the philosophy of Disability Inclusive Development (DID) and the belief that no one should be left behind. It is a 5-year project managed and implemented by World Education that intends to improve and sustain the independent living and functional ability of persons with disabilities, regardless of factors such as age, sex, gender expression, ethnic origin, or indigenous status, and their households in Lao PDR. It is implemented in three target provinces – Vientiane Capital, Xieng Khouang and Savannakhet with partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. The CBID demonstration model districts in Xieng Khouang and Savannakhet have been conducted by local organizations with ...
- USAID Donated Rehabilitation Equipment to Increase Quality Rehabilitation Services to People with Disabilities in Laos
Photo: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated rehabilitation equipment to Center of Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) – Photo credit: Souliya Ounavong, USAID Okard Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR — On March 13, 2023, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) donated rehabilitation equipment, valued at 348,472,000 LAK, to Center of Medical Rehabilitation (CMR), Ministry of Health at a ceremony in Vientiane Capital. The donation will strengthen the delivery of quality rehabilitation services to people with disabilities in Laos. The rehabilitation equipment includes an ultrasound machine, shortwave diathermy machine, laser machine and hot packs, funded by USAID through its Okard Project, implemented by World Education. “We ...
- 13 core trainers in action!
Rehabilitation is a key health strategy for the entire population addressing the broad needs of people who have difficulties in functioning across the human lifespan, not just for persons with disabilities. After a six-week training on essential rehabilitation services at Chiang Mai University, supported by USAID and World Education Laos,13 health and rehabilitation professionals commonly known as core trainers are now ready to train more than 150 doctors and nurses from provincial and district hospitals. Equipped with their new pedagogical and training skills and rehabilitation knowledge, they are now working with USAID Okard to develop and deliver in-service training, which they will then provide to 150 ...
- Implementation Management Committee (IMC) – USAID Okard
On January 13, 2023, the USAID Okard project conducted an Implementation Management Committee (IMC) meeting in Vientiane Capital. The meeting was attended by the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Health, the Quality of Life Association (QLA) and relevant partners from provincial and district levels. These key stakeholders reviewed the progress of the USAID Okard project as well as discussed lessons learned, achievements, challenges and future plans of the project in order to support disability inclusion in Lao P.D.R. before the project ends. Key government stakeholders shared their appreciation for the considerable progress of ...
- Workshop for developing the EORE curriculum (LAWANG)
Another important step for the LAWANG “Beware” Project: Expanding the Scope of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education in Laos phase II, funded by the U.S. Department of State. In December, a workshop for developing the EORE curriculum for Non Formal Education (NFE) and EORE Handbook for Village Education Development Committees (VEDC) and Youth Volunteers (YVs) occurred in Vientiane Province. The meeting was Chaired by the Honorable Mr. Visan Somphong, Deputy Director General of the Non Formal Education Department and Mrs. Rebecca Derry, Country Director of World Education (WEI) in Laos. Also in attendance were representatives from NFE, General Education, the Department of International Organization, Lao Youth Union, ...
- Request for Proposals (RFP):Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Demonstration Model Impact Assessment-Endline Survey
Request for Proposals (RFP)Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Demonstration ModelImpact Assessment–Endline SurveyRFP No: AID–486–A–17–00004–RFP–2 The USAID Okard Activity, implemented by World Education, Inc., is soliciting proposals for the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) Impact Assessment– Endline Survey. The USAID Okard Activity is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is subject to all applicable Federal regulations and provisions. Please submit your most competitive proposal in accordance with the instructions to offerors and terms of reference. Any award issued as a result of this RFP will be subject to all instructions, terms of reference/ specifications, certifications, terms and conditions and funder required clauses. For more ...
- USAID Okard and Partners Celebrate the Contribution of People with Disabilities
On December 3, Vientiane residents came together to celebrate the contribution of people with disabilities in honor of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The celebration raised awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and to mobilize support to promote their dignity and wellbeing. This year’s theme is “Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world”, which focuses around the overarching theme of innovation and transformative solutions for inclusive development, covering in three different interactive dialogues the following thematic topics: innovation for disability inclusive development in employment, innovation for disability inclusive development in reducing inequality and ...
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project called LAWANG (“Beware”)
“Children, Youth are the most valuable resource for the Nation. Therefore, we need to teach them the dangers from UXO ” said the U.S. Ambassador, Dr. Peter M. Haymond. On November 14, 2022 in Vientiane, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silinthone Sacklokham, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Sports, and Ms. Rebecca Derry, Country Director of World Education (WEI) in Laos signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the project called LAWANG (“Beware”): Expanding the Scope of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education in Laos phase II, funded by U.S. Department of State. Also in attendance were the honorable Vice Minister of the Ministry ...
- The visit of members from the United States House of Representatives
On October 2, 2022, members from the United States House of Representatives, led by Congressman Dr. Ami Bera, visited the Center for Medical Rehabilitation (CMR) of the Ministry of Health and the Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise (COPE) Visitor Center. During his visit, he learned more about COPE’s support to CMR in producing assistive products for persons with disabilities, as well as the role played by the Quality of Life Association, which provides assistance to persons with disabilities through the Community Based Inclusive Development (CBID) model in accessing quality health services, economic opportunity and social inclusion with USAID Okard funding.
- The next step of 13 core trainers!
13 health and rehabilitation professionals are ready to train more than 150 doctors and nurses from provincial and district hospitals. These 13 core trainers just completed a six-week training on essential rehabilitation services at Chiang Mai University, supported by USAID and World Education Laos. Equipped with their new pedagogical and training skills and rehabilitation knowledge, they are now working with USAID Okard to develop and deliver in-service training, which they will then provide to 150 doctors and nurses across Laos. This will make these much needed life-saving services cheaper and available to access for communities at every district, regardless of cause.
