Members of a delegation from the international donor organisation Liliane Fonds have visited programmes for the social inclusion of children and young people with disabilities, and various local services, in Chougachha, Jashore. They spent Tuesday (September 29) visiting activities across the upazila and exchanging views with local public representatives, stakeholders, young people with disabilities and parents.
At Swarupdah union parishad they met local stakeholders and discussed ensuring local services for people and children with disabilities, inclusive local government and coordination among institutions.
After the meeting, Liliane Fonds representatives Alodia Katrina Santos and Angela Frings opened a room allocated at Swarupdah union parishad for the work of the Ashraf Foundation. Those involved said the initiative will play an important role in running programmes for children and young people with disabilities locally.
At 3pm the delegation met young people with disabilities at CMIT College, discussing education, skills development, self-reliance, employment and meaningful participation in society. The young people shared their experiences, achievements and hopes for the future.
At 3:30pm the team visited the Caregiver Resource Centre (CRC) in Kharincha village, where they spoke with mothers of children and young people with disabilities about their families’ experiences, their children’s care, education, healthcare, social participation and the support they need.
At 4pm the delegation visited the Ashraf Foundation office, where they learned about the foundation’s activities and achievements and looked in detail at ongoing efforts to ensure the meaningful participation and inclusion of children and young people with disabilities.
Present during the visit were CDD programme manager SM Ali Hasnain Fatim, youth engagement officer Boishakhi Poshari Druti, Ashraf Foundation executive director M Russell Ashraf, Swarupdah union parishad chairman Nurul Kadar, CMIT College managing director Monir Hossain Monir, Ashraf Foundation coordinator and CBR programme official Ashish Chatterjee, and other foundation staff and youth club members, along with heads of educational institutions, young people with disabilities, parents, local representatives and community figures.
The visit offered a chance to show the real picture of ongoing programmes for children and young people with disabilities in Chougachha, the involvement of local stakeholders and the various efforts to ensure inclusive services.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report