BRAC Bank has distributed sewing machines to 78 individuals with hearing and speech impairments, including 44 women, as part of an initiative aimed at supporting skills development and income generation.
The beneficiaries completed a six-month tailoring and business training programme under BRAC Bank’s “Aporajeyo Ami” initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Bangladesh National Federation of the Deaf (BNFD). According to a media release, the programme is designed to improve vocational skills and promote economic inclusion for people with disabilities.
On 23 April 2026, BRAC Bank and BNFD jointly organised a certification and equipment handover ceremony. During the event, participants received sewing machines and completion certificates, enabling them to pursue home-based entrepreneurship or employment in the tailoring sector.
As part of the programme’s practical component, the trainees also arranged an exhibition to present garments and products they had produced during their training period. The initiative has already shown measurable outcomes, with 20 participants reportedly securing employment following completion of the course.
The curriculum for the training was developed with technical input from the Ministry of Social Welfare and the programme implementation team. BRAC Bank and BNFD continue to monitor participants after graduation and provide follow-up support to facilitate their transition into income-generating activities.
Speaking at the event, Tareq Refat Ullah Khan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BRAC Bank, stated: “True inclusion means empowering those most excluded. Through this initiative, we aim to equip individuals with skills and confidence for sustainable livelihoods.”
Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Administrator at BNFD, emphasised the importance of structured training, stating: “Structured training is key to self-reliance. This partnership has strengthened our capacity to create meaningful opportunities for people with disabilities.”
The programme forms part of broader efforts to enhance financial and economic inclusion for persons with disabilities in Bangladesh through vocational training and enterprise support.
Key Programme Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total participants | 78 individuals |
| Women participants | 44 |
| Training duration | 6 months |
| Programme name | Aporajeyo Ami |
| Implementing partners | BRAC Bank, BNFD |
| Date of equipment handover | 23 April 2026 |
| Employment secured after training | 20 participants |
| Support provided | Sewing machines, certificates, training, follow-up monitoring |
The initiative is positioned as a structured model combining skills development with practical tools to support sustainable livelihoods and self-employment opportunities for persons with hearing and speech impairments.