Building independence and leadership in Laos

Kanda lives in Laos, where people with disabilities often face barriers to education, employment, and participation in community life.

As a child, an illness affected both of Kanda’s feet, making walking difficult. She experienced stigma and exclusion growing up, and was often discouraged from continuing her education.

“Friends called me names,” she recalls.

Despite this, Kanda remained determined. She learnt to sew, married, and began making clothes and traditional Lao skirts to sell. However, limited mobility and a remote location made it difficult to reach customers, and her income was not enough to provide stability for her family.

Through cbm’s work with local partners, Kanda became involved in a livelihoods programme designed to support people with disabilities to build skills and independence.

She received training in business and financial skills, along with support to expand her small enterprise. Building on her sewing skills, Kanda began making bags and was able to invest in materials and simple ways to promote her work.

As her business grew, so did her income and confidence.

Kanda also joined a Self-Help Group – a community-based network where people with disabilities come together to learn, support one another and advocate for inclusion. Through this group, she developed leadership skills and began training others on disability rights and income-generating activities.

“The project taught me many things,” she says. “It gave me the opportunity to become a trainer.”

Today, Kanda is recognised in her community not for her disability, but for her skills and leadership. She supports others to build livelihoods, shares knowledge, and contributes to strengthening her community.

“People in the community are more welcoming now; they see that I am capable,” she says.

Kanda’s story reflects the impact of inclusive, locally led development. With the right support, people with disabilities can build sustainable livelihoods, contribute to their communities, and shape their own futures.