2009

Nation-wide blanket and warm clothes distribution

Concerned over the prevalent cold weather, Grameenphone Ltd. distributed blankets in worst affected areas of Chittagong, Rajshahi and Dhaka division on January 3 and January 13, 2009 respectively.

This is part of the nationwide blanket distribution program which was initiated at the end of 2008. At Chittagong Grameenphone distributed 2000 blankets whereas, in Dhaka the number was 1500.

Grameenphone partner NGO, Thengamara Mohila Shobuj Sangha (TMSS) and Dhaka Ahsania Mission provided support in Chittagong and Dhaka divisions respectively.

Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Sirajganj

Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at the Sayedabad High School, Sayedabad, Sadar Upazilla, Sirajganj on February 12, 2009.

This is the 13th free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International.

The turn-out of patients was quite high, with around 1,917 patients arriving for care at the Sayedabad High School, Sirajganj. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 215 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.

GP Sets up Skill Development Center & CIC at APONGAON

Grameenphone Ltd. has inaugurated a skill development center and Grameenphone Community Information Center (CIC) at APONGAON, a drug rehabilitation center at Singair, Manikganj.

This initiative is part of a CSR partnership with Ashokti Punorbshon Nibash (APON), an NGO that works towards the rehabilitation and re-integration of drug addicts into society. APON aims to create a sustainable vocational solution for rehabilitated drug abusers, and has a special focus on the economically disadvantaged population.
Grameenphone has provided the financial support for the construction of the skill development center, which will provide the boys and girls at the rehabilitation center an opportunity to train on different skills, and subsequently help them re-gain confidence and become a self-reliant person as they re-enter society.

Grameenphone has also established a computerized information center on the APONGAON premises which will serve as an alternative income stream for the NGO. The information center is equipped with a computer, a printer, a scanner, a webcam and a modem to render internet-based services to the local community. It also provides other GP services, such as GP public phones and flexiload services for pre-paid and post-paid mobile accounts.

Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Gopalganj

Grameenphone, jointly with National Eye Care, DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at the Gopalganj Sadar Hospital, Gopalganj on March 17, 2009.

This is the 14th free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International. District V2020 Committee, Gopalganj and Ad-din Welfare Centre, Jessore, were the local partners in this eye camp.

The turn-out of patients was quite high, with around 2,177 patients arriving for care at the Gopalganj Sadar Hospital, Gopalganj. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 220 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.

Second Illustrated Book on Liberation War published

The publication ceremony “Kishor Joddha Salam” – an illustrated book on the Liberation War – was held on 25th March, 2009 at a local hotel in Chittagong.

“Kishor Joddha Salam” is the second book of a series of publications, a joint initiative by the Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies and Grameenphone Ltd. As part of the joint initiative, Grameenphone is sponsoring the publication and distribution of six books on the Liberation War. The targeted beneficiaries are school children, from class IV to class VIII, who will be provided with copies free of cost.

“Tagra”, the first book in the series, was published in October last year and distributed among different schools in Dhaka Division only. “Kishor Joddha Salam” will be distributed only among the students of Chittagong Division.

Grameenphone sponsors Street Children’s Party

Grameenphone Ltd. sponsored a Street Children’s Party arranged by the BWA on recently, at the Nandan Water Park in Savar.

Four hundred children from seventeen charitable schools that cater to the very poorest and most disadvantaged levels of society attended the event. The children were provided with a nutritious breakfast and lunch, t-shirts, shorts and a towel for use during the water activities and a second commemorative t-shirt to mark the event.

The event was organized from the BWA and orchestrated by volunteers from the BWA, Dhaka University and Grameenphone. The children also enjoyed a play presented by Prachyanat, an organization that believes that children grow up through the colors of dance, rhythm and fun.

At the conclusion of the day each child was presented with a gift hamper consisting of various essential and fun items. In addition the boys were given a baseball cap and the girls a pack of beauty products.  All the children were presented with a new pair of school shoes also. These items were sponsored by Grameenphone and some other local and multi-national companies.

2nd Regional Talent Hunt for Intellectually Challenged Athletes

Grameenphone in partnership with Special Olympics Bangladesh, organized the 2nd regional talent hunt for intellectually-challenged athletes at Chittagong from April 1 to 4.

161 athletes and officials, from 9 special schools participated in the competition. They competed in7 disciplines - Aquatics, Athletics, Badminton, Bocce, Football, Table Tennis and Cricket - in the event.

The objective of the program is to form a “national talent pool” of intellectually-challenged athletes. The national talent pool will be further nurtured and prepared for the next Special Olympics in 2011.

30 athletes were selected from Chittagong hunt for the National talent hunt to be held in early 2011.  All the winners from the regional hunts in six divisions will participate in the National Talent Hunt to be held in early 2011.

Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Gazipur

Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at the Intervida School, Madhab Nagar, Tumulia, Kaliganj, Gazipur on April 08, 2009.

This is the 15th free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International. Islamia Eye Hospital was the local partner in this eye camp.
The turn-out of patients was quite high, with more than 1079 patients arriving for care at the Intervida School. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 162 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.

 Grameenphone organizes Free Eye Camp at Habiganj

Grameenphone, jointly with Sightsavers International, organized a free Eye Camp at the Didar Community Center, Chunarughat, Habiganj on May 15, 2009.

This is the 16th free Eye Camp organized jointly by Grameenphone and Sightsavers International.

The honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Mr. Enamul Hoque Mustafa Shaheed was present on the occasion as the chief guest.

The turn-out of patients was quite high, with more than 1,504 patients arriving for care at the Didar Community Center. All patients were given routine examinations and prescriptions for refractive error were given to those who required it. Among them 220 patients were referred for and administered Intra Ocular Lens (IOL) or cataract surgeries.