Supporting Children with Disabilities, Bangladesh

Thank you for your continued commitment to improving the lives of families living with disability in Bangladesh. We are delighted to share a brief update on the progress you have helped make possible over recent months.

In October 2025, 24 BRAC staff members successfully completed a six-day Community Health Worker (CHW) training. This programme was delivered by CRP trainers who achieved Level 3 accreditation earlier this year, under the guidance of Master Trainer Fahmida Banu. The training was extremely well received, with participants actively engaging in group learning and practical activities. Once organisational processes are complete and baseline forms are submitted, these staff members will be fully equipped to begin gathering vital data and delivering more informed, compassionate support to the families they serve.

Just a month later, in November 2025, a further six-day CHW training took place at Symbiosis in Mymensingh, around 75 miles north of Dhaka. Ten Symbiosis staff members — including both community-based workers and clinic staff — took part. To ensure accessibility and meaningful participation, the training was delivered entirely in Bangla. We are pleased to report that these trainees have already begun conducting baseline interviews with beneficiary families, marking an important step towards tailored, family-centred care.

Delivering this training required real dedication. Master Trainer Fahmida travelled from CRP’s main centre in Savar, a full day’s journey, while regional CRP trainers commuted daily from nearby Mymensingh. Their commitment reflects the shared belief that high-quality training at community level can create lasting change for families who are often otherwise beyond the reach of specialist services.

We have also received valuable feedback from Suzie, an Australian physiotherapist and our main contact at Symbiosis. Her insights will directly inform the MAITS International Clinical Committee as they review and strengthen the training package, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of both practitioners and families.

Looking ahead, we are hopeful that our Project Coordinator, Jenny, will be able to visit Symbiosis in April 2026 to meet the trainees in person and carry out home visits with beneficiary families. These visits are invaluable in understanding real-world impact and shaping future improvements.

None of this progress would be possible without supporters like you. Every training delivered multiplies impact — equipping local staff with skills that reach dozens of families, and improving care long after the training itself has ended. As we look to expand and refine this work, additional funding will allow us to train more community health workers, reach more families, and ensure that children and adults with disabilities receive the support they deserve.

Thank you for standing with us. Your generosity is helping to build stronger communities, one trained health worker — and one family — at a time.

With sincere thanks,

The MAITS Team