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The SMILE project makes strides toward inclusion through its support of people with disabilities

Bangladesh
Labour market insertion, Upskilling and Reskilling, Entrepreneurial ecosystems
17.12.2024
The SMILE project is paving the way to provide orthotic and prosthetic devices to 57 patients in the Sylhet region.

According to the National Survey on Persons with Disabilities (NSPD) 2021, nearly 80% of people with disabilities in Bangladesh lack access to necessary assistive devices. To address this glaring gap, particularly in Sylhet, the SMILE project, funded by Chevron Bangladesh and implemented by Swisscontact Bangladesh has extended critical support to people with disabilities (PWD) in Sylhet.

Through financial aid provided by the SMILE project, the Jalalabad Disabled Rehab Centre and Hospital (JDRCH) will develop and install prosthetic and orthotic devices for 57 patients requiring limp support, enabling them to regain mobility, enhance their quality of life, and actively engage in economic activities.

During the event, a donation cheque was handed over to Shoaib Ahmed Matin, Chairman, Jalalabad Disabled Rehabilitation Centre and Hospital by Md. Makbul Hossain, Team Leader, SMILE, Swisscontact, to cover the cost of providing prosthetic and orthotic devices on December 11, 2024, at Chevron’s Jalalabad gas plant office.

This intervention aligns with the SMILE project’s objectives of the health component of improving community well-being and addressing systemic gaps in the healthcare sector. The initiative will result in transforming the lives of 57 patients by offering them assistive devices for mobility and independence.

The SMILE project will closely monitor the progress of this initiative and document its impact, ensuring that every individual receives the care and support they need to thrive. The activities of SMILE continue to pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future through similar partnerships by tapping into the unmet needs of the community.

"At Chevron, we believe in the power of collaboration to bring meaningful change. Our support through the SMILE project and Jalalabad Hospital reflects our commitment to addressing the critical needs of these marginalized groups and helping them be an active member of society."
Richard Barnett, Superintendent of Jalalabad Gas Plant at Chevron Bangladesh
"Our hospital operates on a ‘no loss, no profit’ principle to serve the community since 1996, providing physiotherapy services to around 60 patients daily along with other rehabilitation support. We are immensely grateful to Chevron, Swisscontact, and the SMILE project for their support in providing these assistive devices."
Shoaib Ahmad Matin, Chairman of Jalalabad Disabled Rehab Centre and Hospital
2023 - 2028
Bangladesh
Labour market insertion, Upskilling and Reskilling, Entrepreneurial ecosystems
SMILE – Sustainable and Meaningful Intervention for Livelihood Enrichment
The SMILE project seeks to uplift deserving students in Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Sunamganj and Dhaka by providing scholarships, educational campaigns, and teacher training, while also enhancing capacity development and employment opportunities for local youth, promoting cooperative governance and micro- savings, addressing health issues, and championing environmental conservation, all while exploring innovative solutions to meet community needs.
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