BRAC Bank has provided sewing machines to 78 individuals with hearing and speech impairments, including 44 women, following their completion of a vocational training programme designed to support income generation and self-reliance.
The beneficiaries completed a six-month course in tailoring and basic business skills under the bank’s “Aporajeyo Ami” initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Bangladesh National Federation of the Deaf (BNFD). The programme focuses on equipping participants with practical skills to enable home-based entrepreneurship or employment in the tailoring sector.
According to a media statement, BRAC Bank and BNFD jointly held a certificate award and equipment handover ceremony on 23 April 2026. During the event, each graduate received a sewing machine along with a completion certificate, marking the formal conclusion of the training cycle and the start of their transition into income-generating activities.
As part of the programme’s training process, participants organised an exhibition displaying garments and tailoring products made during the course. The exhibition served to demonstrate the skills acquired and provided an opportunity to showcase their practical progress.
So far, 20 participants have reportedly secured employment after completing the training, reflecting early outcomes of the initiative. The remaining graduates are expected to begin small-scale tailoring work or establish independent home-based businesses using the equipment provided.
The training curriculum was developed with support from the Ministry of Social Welfare and programme stakeholders. It combined tailoring instruction with basic entrepreneurial training, with an emphasis on practical application and self-employment readiness.
BRAC Bank and BNFD are also providing follow-up monitoring to support participants after graduation. This includes tracking their progress and offering guidance to help ensure sustainable use of skills and resources provided under the programme.
Officials involved in the initiative noted that structured vocational training plays a significant role in improving access to livelihood opportunities for persons with disabilities, particularly those with hearing and speech impairments.
Programme Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiative name | Aporajeyo Ami |
| Implementing bodies | BRAC Bank, BNFD |
| Total trainees | 78 individuals |
| Women participants | 44 |
| Training duration | 6 months |
| Certification date | 23 April 2026 |
| Items distributed | Sewing machines, certificates |
| Employment secured post-training | 20 participants |
| Curriculum support | Ministry of Social Welfare, Bangladesh |
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusive skills development programmes that combine vocational training with practical tools and post-training support to improve economic participation among persons with disabilities.
