Youth volunteers on Wednesday came together for the second session of art-therapy work with children with autism at Society for the Welfare of the Intellectually Disabled (SWID), Lalmatia.
The event was part of a seven-day “Make A Change” campaign by youth organisation Blissful Spirits for raising awareness on autism in Bangladesh.
“It is a small effort with a lasting impact which will hopefully make people understand that intellectually disabled kids are not different from us,” says Arnab Banik, one of the founders of Blissful Spirits. “We believe that every child has a unique talent.”
The event on Wednesday had about 20 volunteers from different schools and 20 children with autism. Their activities included singing, painting, and performing dances for those attending.
“This was my first time being involved in such an activity and I learned a lot,” Rubaiyat Jahan Renease, an A-Level student from Maple Leaf International School, said.
“These children want to have fun just like us, and want to laugh just like us,” she added.
However, volunteers – new and old – feel that a lot more needs to be done.
“Although Bangladesh has made immense improvement in its treatments of children with disability, a lot more has to be done,” Taslima Khan, who has a 43-year-old daughter with autism, told me.
“There are many parents who do not put in enough effort. They get angry easily, and that shouldn't happen,” she continued.
Taslima, an ex-headmistress, has been working on children with disability since 1982. She advocates for a proper trust to be built, wherein children with autism and other mental disability can live with proper support, nursing and care.
Sageena Afroze, another volunteer and A-Level student, voiced similar thoughts: “The have the same needs and rights. An event will give them peace only for one day – but we need an institution – like a school – that would provide them with facilities all year long.”
There is potential for such a conversation in the Blissful Conference on Intellectual Disability, which will take place today at Daffodil University. It will include a panel talk from members of the press, NGOs and other stakeholders who work on this issue. The Dhaka Tribune is a media partner for this event.
The Dhaka Tribune is the media partner for this event. Bombay Sweets is the platinum sponsor of the event who will provide snacks and beverages at the conference. Zero 2 Infinity health magazine is the knowledge partner, and Radio Today fm 89.6 is the radio partner.