Sok Vath at the family’s second market stall
© Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

The market modification is good for everyone here — persons with and without disabilities, children, pregnant women and the elderly.” — Mao Phal, market stall owner.

With an unpaved path reminiscent of moon craters, and often muddy and slippery, the wheelchair user didn’t have enough reason to go to the market every day. These days, however, Sok Vath can look forward to a brighter future, thanks to the APCD/JAIF Project’s rural market modifications and the free market space that his family was given at Phlou Thmey. His wife, 57-year-old Mao Phal happily says that the Project has had a positive impact on her husband. “He would now come to the market for four to five days a week and he can take his wheelchair inside. Although he can’t speak, he smiles more often now and gets a lot of encouragement from our fellow market owners. His health is also a lot better,” she says.

Rising Above Limitations
Nong Sa Market, Naxaithong District, Vientiane, Lao PDR

“I like to live independently and I don’t want to be a burden [to anyone]…” — Srisupun Audonsawan, market stall owner

Srisupun Audonsawan manning her small stall at Nong Sa Market
© Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

Srisupun Audonsawan has a shy, childlike smile that belies her age. In fact, she looks more like a teenager than a young woman of 26. Self-effacing and soft-spoken, she sells dried vegetables and noodles in a small stall at Nong Sa Market. Amid the chaos of the public market, her stall is a small oasis of calm where you will see neatly stacked onions and garlic, macaroni packs, noodles, dried mushrooms, and spring rolls wrapper packs. As a beneficiary of APCD/JAIF Project’s free market space, Srisupun is taking a big step for herself and is setting an example for other persons with disabilities.

Disability Awareness in Action
Myauk Pine Market, Pyapon Township, Ayeyarwaddy Region, Myanmar.

“I am very glad that the market is more accessible now than before. I used to have a hard time walking through the pathways especially during the rainy season. It’s easier now.” — San San Myint, mother of a boy with disability.

A typical morning at Myauk Pine Market
© Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability

“We buy food from the market and I play here with my friends,” says eight-year-old Htet Mon Hut. “I’ve never seen a wheelchair before but I’ve seen a few people with crutches visiting the market.” Attracted to the sights and sounds of the ongoing awareness campaign activity, 35-year-old mother San San Myint smiles widely when Committee members approach her for a brief chat. “I have heard of the modifications here because I come here every day with my son,” she says, referring to seven-year-old Sei Thu sitting on a bicycle at her side. The boy can’t speak but can hear.