Footsteps, Eastern Bank Upgrade Libraries for Special Children

Footsteps Bangladesh, in partnership with Eastern Bank PLC, has inaugurated two Britto Children’s Libraries at the Eskaton and Dhanmondi campuses of SWID Bangladesh. The initiative is designed to enhance access to learning resources for children with special needs through dedicated and adapted library spaces.

The project has been implemented under Project Britto, which focuses on repurposing underutilised school areas into functional, child-friendly libraries. According to a press release, the transformed spaces are equipped with accessible layouts, a curated selection of books, and creative learning elements intended to support inclusive education and improve the learning experience 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, stated that the initiative is expected to create meaningful impact. He also expressed hope for continued collaboration between the organisations involved in the project.

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Co-founder and President of Footsteps Bangladesh, said that Project Britto has already gained recognition within development circles and among partner organisations. He further stated that the organisation plans to expand similar initiatives to additional schools where library spaces remain underutilised, with the aim of improving access to structured learning environments.

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

The event was attended by several guests, including Sameer Ahmed, Snigdha Chowdhury, Fahmim Rahman, and Sarah Alam. The attendees expressed support for the initiative and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration in promoting inclusive education and strengthening learning opportunities for children with special needs.

The Britto Children’s Library initiative is part of broader efforts aimed at improving access to quality educational resources and developing more inclusive learning environments for underserved groups.

Project Summary

This initiative reflects ongoing collaborative efforts between development organisations and private sector partners to strengthen educational infrastructure and promote inclusive learning environments within school settings.