Grameenphone supports Drug Rehabilitation Center APONGAON

Grameenphone has embarked upon a CSR partnership with Ashokti Punorbshon Nibash (APON), a center for substance addiction treatment and rehabilitation, today.

Grameenphone will provide financial assistance in setting up a skill development centre at APON’s drug rehabilitation centre at Manikganj. GP will also provide an alternative income generating stream for the centre through the establishment of a Grameenphone Community Information Center (CIC).

The Honorable Advisor of the Government of Bangladesh for Health & Family Welfare, Maj. Gen. A.S.M. Matiur Rahman (Rtd.), was present as the Chief Guest at the ceremony. Also present were Brother Ronald Drahozal, Executive Director, APON and Mr. Ahmed Raihan Shamsi, Deputy Director of Finance of Grameenphone.

Ashokti Punorbashon Nibash (APON) is a non-profit NGO, established in 1994, with a purpose of providing treatment and rehabilitation support for drug addicts in Bangladesh. APON has developed and adopted an innovative and culturally sensitive rehabilitation program, using the principles of the 12-Steps of Narcotics Anonymous Program, Therapeutic Community and other related activities. Since its inception, APON has admitted more that 1,450 drug users along with hundreds others who came or called for counseling and information. Additionally, over 30,000 family members have received support from APON.

After housing its patients and running its programs in rented facilities since inception, APON has procured land in Manikganj to construct its own permanent treatment and rehabilitation center APONGAON – Apon Village. Once established, APONGAON will be the largest comprehensive drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation project in South Asia for male, female and children drug users.

As a responsible corporate citizen of Bangladesh, Grameenphone recognizes its duties towards the less privileged members of society, and aims to empower them through sustainable initiatives that focus on awareness and capacity building. Through this initiative, Grameenphone hopes to contribute to the rehabilitation process of drug addicts in Bangladesh, so that they may ultimately become independent and active contributors to society.

Recently, Grameenphone partnered with Special Olympics Bangladesh to sponsor the Bangladeshi team’s participation in the 2007 Special Olympic Summer World Games, to be held in Shanghai in October. GP will also assist Special Olympics Bangladesh in organizing talent hunts on both the regional and national levels to search for new talents to represent Bangladesh in future Special Olympics Games.

Information Department
Grameenphone Ltd.
Phone: 9882990
email: info@grameenphone.com