A joint venture to ensure employment for people with disabilities

The Prerona Foundation and the PFDA-Vocational Training Center have launched a project called Amra Shikhi, Amra Pari to contribute to the livelihoods of people who have disabilities and help protect citizens' health during the ongoing pandemic. 

Under this project, students at the PFDA-Vocational Training Center receive online training on mask-making which empowers them to engage in mask production. 

This has created employment opportunities and also is playing a role in the health sector of the country. 

Two types of masks–surgical and fabric–are being produced under this project following the safety regulations on personal protective equipment developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). 

The fabric masks have been prepared by fulfilling every condition prescribed by the Directorate General of Drug Administration of Bangladesh. Each manufactured fabric mask has been tested and accredited by Dysin International Limited, a government-certified quality certification body. 

The fabric masks will be available for sale on the market soon. Following their success, surgical masks will also be available for commercial sale. 

The earnings from the sale of each mask will contribute to the livelihood of the people with disabilities and their families. 

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the Director of the Governing Body of the Prerona Foundation Mubina Asaf and Founding Chairman of the PFDA-Vocational Training Center Sajida Rahman Danny to ensure long-term and sustainable livelihoods for people with disabilities. 

Prerona Foundation

The Prerona Foundation is working on making the futures of the marginalised people of Bangladesh brighter. All the activities undertaken by the foundation are determined by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. 

To achieve the SDG targets, it is essential to take collective and all-inclusive initiatives that will enable people from the marginalised groups of the society to control their own destinies by bringing them under the appropriate business model. 

That is why the Prerona Foundation is working hand-in-hand with various government, non-government, and privately-owned organisations to create new possibilities. 

PFDA-Vocational Training Center

The PFDA-Vocational Training Center was launched in 2014 to integrate people with disabilities in traditional social and economic activities by providing them with training and development opportunities. 

This journey would pave the way for the achievement of four, eight, 10, and 11 of the SDG targets set by the government of Bangladesh; which encourage effective education, training, sustainable economic growth, and equal participation at the socio-economic-political level to ensure the inclusion of people with disabilities within society.