Osotspa Joins Hands with Partners to Develop Organic Farm Learning Center by People with Disabilities Model That Provides Knowledge and Career for the Disabled to Bring Them Sustainable Future
With a commitment in building a sustainable future for people with disabilities under the “teaching a man to fish to feed him for a lifetime" concept, Osotspa supports them by providing a new career with an aim to empower them to move on through the “Life must go on” project.
“With a vision of being the Power to Enhance Life, Osotspa is determined to empower people with disabilities to rise up again through supports in various dimensions, focusing on vocational supports to empower them to live on their own and sustainably move forward. The Company also aims to develop a model for other agencies to extend the supports to various parts of the country," said Mrs. Wannipa Bhakdibutr, Chief Executive Officer of Osotspa Public Company Limited
Osotspa has been helping people with disabilities since 2012 through the “Osotspa for Better Life” project. Later, the Company initiated the job training project which complies to the law on promotion and development of people with disabilities (section 35) that focuses on rejuvenating and strengthening the disabled to be able to support themselves and develop stable career and income in accordance with the Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act. Today, the project has created career for the disabled in many provinces, such as Khon Kaen Province, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Saraburi Province, Samut Prakan Province and Bangkok. Most of them had been the breadwinners of their families before becoming disabled after serious accidents or illness and unable to work and support the family.
Subsequently, Osotspa initiated the “Life must go on” project through collaborating with partners, such as local sectors, local health agencies and a network of physiotherapists to empower people with disabilities in 3 areas: 1) Strengthening their physical strength by joining with a network of physiotherapists in the area to rehabilitate and develop the potential of the disabled 2) Regaining their willpower through renovating their home to suit their condition. This allows them to support and rely on themselves as much as possible as a way to improve their mental state and self-confidence to be able to socialize better; and 3) Enhancing their life through occupation promotion, including educating them and providing vocational equipment and tools. As a result, the participants have a stable income with an increase of approximately 4,000-6,000 baht per month. Besides having a better quality of life, they are happier and have the courage to move forward.
The establishment of the Organic Farm Center for the Disabled Model is considered as one of the life enhancements for persons with disabilities. The first organic farm center for persons with disabilities model was established in Ubonratana District, Khon Kaen Province to provide opportunities for farmers with disabilities who live in that area and do not have a land to farm. The participants have transformed the wasteland into fertile agricultural plots that provide quality and non-chemical produce. The center has been visited by many agencies and interested parties. Also, it has become a model for the Organic Farm Learning Center for Persons with Disabilities at Kaeng Khoi Hospital, Saraburi. The opening ceremony of the center was presided over by Mrs. Saranpat Anumatrajkit, Director-General of the Department of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and Mr.Ponlawat Thienchaimongkol, Deputy Governor of Saraburi Province
Mrs. Saranpat Anumatrachakit, Director-General of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, said that “the Organic Farm Learning Center for Persons with Disabilities at Kaeng Khoi Hospital is another example of the integration of the public sector, the private sector and civil society. This integration brings the strengths and aptitudes of the private sector to help people with disabilities in many dimensions. In addition to promoting a career, it also supports the physical, mental and social development of people with disabilities. This is considered an effective collaboration of the private sector and the government sector.
Located behind Kaeng Khoi Hospital, the Organic Farm Learning Center for Persons with Disabilities at Kaeng Khoi Hospital was initiated from the cooperation between Osotspa and Kaeng Khoi Hospital. The hospital’s Oab Oom team is a working team who is an important part of this center. They assist the handicapped in the center, while Dr. Prasitchai Mangjit, Director of Kaeng Khoi Hospital, is an honorary advisor who provides useful advice and great supports.
“We have seen the development of many people with disabilities who have transformed from sick people to efficient workers. They are able to work together and to produce quality products for their ready-to-buy market. Therefore, I want this center to be a learning center and a model that will lead to further studies and to an expansion to other disadvantaged group,” said Dr. Prasitchai Mangjit, Director of Kaeng Khoi Hospital.
Initially, this center was an area for people with disabilities to grow crops. Later, it includes many careers that have been promoted to the disable during the past 5 years. Today, the center has a variety of farms and covers the entire process: producing raw materials, planting, raising, and processing. This five-rai area consists of vegetable farm, mushroom farm, fish pond, poultry barn, natural fertilizer factory, food processing plant and KinDee YooDee market that sells products of the center. At the market, the shoppers not only get fresh and non-chemical products, their purchases will also support people with disabilities
Ms. Bualien Pha-ngam, Head of the Organic Farm Learning Center for Persons with Disabilities at Kaeng Khoi Hospital said that "Due to physical disabilities, we are not perfect. However, the way we help each other, dividing up the works, learning right from wrong together, and supports from doctors and Osotsap complete us. Now, my body and mind are strong. The doctors and nurses take good care of us. Although I am tired sometime, I am proud that, despite my disabilities, I can help other members to get a job and earn income to support themselves and their families.”
In addition, Osotspa is proud to help drive the brands of products by the disabled who are the members of Life must go on project. Products from the organic farms are sold under the “Kin Dee” brand, baskets are sold under the “Handy” brand, and the furniture is sold under the “Yoo Dee” brand. The Company has also developed the online selling platform KinDee YooDee Handy Facebook page to provide an opportunity to the public to support, to create a good quality of life, to share opportunities and happiness to them. Every support is the power for people with disabilities to move forward together.
