The closing event of the Integrated Support for Children with Disabilities (ISCwD) Project, funded by Chevron and implemented by Save the Children was held recently at Lakeshore hotel, Gulshan-2, Dhaka. The project supported more than 400 (four hundred) children with disabilities aged between 0-18. The aim of the project was to promote access to education, health services, development, participation, and well-being through inclusive approaches (which supports the achievement of the UN SDGs).
(from left to right) Eric M. Walker, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh, Ms. Zamira Kanapyanova, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Eurasia Pacific, Chevron, Ms. Arathi Vinod, Education Director, Save the Children and Muhammad Imrul KaL›ir, Corporate Affairs Director, Chevron Bangladesh
This noble initiative started in March 2022 to support children with disabilities and their parents to get accessible basic services like health, education, and development from mainstream service providers. The project screened 219 children by technical professionals and provided customized assistive devices to 155 children. It also improved accessibility of 25 educational institutions, (disabled-friendly toilets, soil filling of the playground and entrances of schools, connecting roads, ramps, etc.) including library set up at 14 schools and 1000 magic bags (age-based educational materials) distributed to 20 government primary schools and children. The impactful intervention was introducing inclusive games among children with and without disabilities which enhance the confidence of children with disabilities. 200 teachers and SMC members oriented on inclusive education to ensure safe and accessible learning spaces for all children. 190 children received home-based basic learning support. 62 are enrolled in formal schools. 174 Children aged 16-18 or their family members received skill-based training and 47 received business development support.
Eric M. Walker, President and Managing Director of Chevron Bangladesh attended as the Chief guest of the event while Ms. Zamira Kanapyanova, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Eurasia Pacific, Chevron, Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Corporate Affairs Director, Chevron Bangladesh and Ms. Arathi Vinod, Education Director, Save the Children attended as special guests.
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF CHEVRON FUNDED UTTORON ADVANCED WELDING LAB
IN KHULNA SHIPYARD
(standing right to left) Zamira Kanapyanova, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Eurasia Pacific, Chevron, Eric M. Walker, President and Managing Director, Chevron Bangladesh, Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director, Corporate Affairs, Chevron Bangladesh, Mujibul Hasan, Country Director, Swisscontact Bangladesh and Nadia Afrin Shams, Team Leader, Uttoron
Uttoron - Skills for better life project recently organized an inauguration ceremony for advanced welding training facilities situated in Khulna Shipyard, Khulna. In 2021 Uttoron signed an agreement with Khulna Shipyard to launch advanced welding training and an advanced welding lab for the first time in Bangladesh. The new advanced welding lab will support young people in enhancing their welding abilities.
Due to a lack of advanced-level training facilities, there is a shortage of skilled welders in Bangladesh. In the ongoing mega projects, welders are hired from abroad at much higher salaries. As a result, our youth are losing job opportunities in such projects. To solve this problem, in collaboration with Khulna Shipyard, Uttoron initiated the construction of an advanced welding lab.
Distinguished guest of honor of the event were Zamira Kanapyanova, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Eurasia and Europe, Chevron; Eric M. Walker, President and Managing Director, Chevron Bangladesh and Commodore M Shamsul Aziz, (L), NGP, psc, BN; Managing Director, Khulna Shipyard Limited, Bangladesh Navy. Among other dignitaries Muhammad Imrul Kabir, Director, Corporate Affairs, Chevron Bangladesh; Mujibul Hasan, Country Director, Swisscontact Bangladesh and Nadia Afrin Shams, Team Leader, Uttoron were present in the event.
Uttoron project, funded by Chevron and implemented by Swisscontact, was initiated in 2016. By 2022, a total of 3380 young people received technical training in Sylhet and Dhaka. Besides, Uttoron established and upgraded the Bholananda Uttoron Technical Training Centre in partnership with Sylhet City Corporation.
