Earlier this week, fifty people with disabilities have been received by the Office of the Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities (BSEIPH) where each received a sum of 15,000 gourdes, to strengthen their activities economic.

With a total budget of 750,000 gourdes from the Treasury, this initiative of BSEIPH, aims the economic integration of people with disabilities. It comes in response to the requests for financial support made ​​to the office by people in difficult situations. This sum, says Gérald Oriol Jr., Secretary of State for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities "will enable beneficiaries to start or enhance their income generating activities."

According to Oriol, economic support for vulnerable people in relation to their disability, is a priority for the BSEIPH, especially that people with disabilities in Haiti generally live in extremely difficult situations. "The BSEIPH decided to support your income generating activities because your integration will not be effective without financial independence," said the Secretary of State, during the presentation of checks to beneficiaries. The initiative taken for some time could not succeed earlier, for lack of budgetary availability. The presentation of the first checks is just the beginning of this program, now included in the Action plan of office.

Guervil Patrick, one of the beneficiaries did not not hide his joy "I am pleased that the project has succeeded and that I can resume my economic activities." Patrick lives with motor disabilities at his hands and legs. Before the earthquake of January 2010, he was selling recharge cards, discontinued operations, for lack of funds, that he intends to to resume.

It is also a feeling of relief for Alourde Innocent, mother, became disabled after a hypertensive crisis, the latter could no longer keep her job as a seamstress. "I thank the Secretary of Statewho has paid attention to my request and now gives me the chance to have an economic activity," she declared, providing with this grant, to engage in small trade.

In addition to the grant of 15,000 gourdes, beneficiaries received a training in management and marketing. Sogebank, facilited to them the opening of a bank account in order to better manage their financial resources. In return, the Office of the Secretary of State requires to each beneficiary, a strict and balanced management of their small business to ensure their economic integration.

HL/ HaitiLibre