Footsteps, Eastern Bank partners to transform libraries for special needs children

Footsteps Bangladesh, in partnership with Eastern Bank PLC, has inaugurated two Britto Children’s Libraries at SWID Bangladesh (Eskaton Campus and Dhanmondi Campus) to support children with special needs.

Implemented under Project Britto, the initiative converts underutilized school spaces into child-friendly libraries with accessible layouts, curated books, and creative learning elements, according to a press release.

Speaking at the event, Maskur Reza, executive vice president and head of business information systems and managing director’s secretariat at Eastern Bank PLC, said the initiative would create a meaningful impact and expressed hope for future collaboration.

Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, co-founder and president of Footsteps Bangladesh, said the project has already received strong recognition within the development sector and among partners.

He emphasized the organization’s vision to expand similar initiatives to schools where library spaces remain underutilized.

Mohammad Taqi Yasir, co-founder and vice president, acknowledged Eastern Bank PLC’s role in supporting the initiative, describing the partnership as meaningful and impactful.

He added that Footsteps Bangladesh intends to continue implementing such projects to create positive change nationwide.

The inauguration was attended by celebrities, including Sameer Ahmed, Snigdha Chowdhury, Fahmim Rahman, and Sarah Alam, who expressed support for the initiative and emphasized the importance of continued collaboration in advancing inclusive education.

The Britto Children’s Library initiative reflects a growing effort to strengthen access to quality education and create supportive learning environments for underserved children across Bangladesh.