Footsteps, Eastern Bank Open Libraries for Special Needs Learners

Footsteps Bangladesh, in collaboration with Eastern Bank PLC, has inaugurated two Britto Children’s Libraries at the Eskaton and Dhanmondi campuses of SWID Bangladesh. The initiative aims to support children with special needs by improving access to structured and inclusive learning environments.

The libraries have been developed under Project Britto, which focuses on transforming underutilised school spaces into functional, child-friendly library areas. According to a press release, the redesigned facilities include accessible spatial arrangements, a curated collection of books, and creative learning features intended to foster engagement and support inclusive education for children with special needs.

At the inauguration ceremony, Maskur Reza, Executive Vice President and Head of Business Information Systems and Managing Director’s Secretariat at Eastern Bank PLC, said the initiative is expected to generate meaningful impact. He also expressed optimism regarding continued cooperation between Eastern Bank PLC and Footsteps Bangladesh in similar initiatives.

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Co-founder and President of Footsteps Bangladesh, stated that Project Britto has already received recognition within development-focused circles as well as among partner organisations. He added that the organisation plans to extend similar interventions to other schools where library facilities remain underutilised, with the aim of improving access to organised learning spaces.

Mohammad Taqi Yasir, Co-founder and Vice President of Footsteps Bangladesh, acknowledged the contribution of Eastern Bank PLC in supporting the implementation of the initiative. He described the partnership as significant and impactful, and noted that Footsteps Bangladesh intends to continue implementing such projects across the country to support positive outcomes in education.

The inauguration was attended by several invited guests, including Sameer Ahmed, Snigdha Chowdhury, Fahmim Rahman, and Sarah Alam. They expressed support for the initiative and emphasised the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders in strengthening inclusive education and improving learning opportunities for children with special needs.

The Britto Children’s Library initiative is part of broader efforts to improve access to quality educational resources and to develop more inclusive and supportive learning environments for underserved communities in Bangladesh.

Initiative Overview

The initiative reflects ongoing collaboration between a development organisation and a private sector financial institution to strengthen educational infrastructure and expand inclusive learning opportunities within institutional settings across Bangladesh.