News Collaboration with BRAC in the ‘Stories for Inclusion’ project

We are extremely proud that NGO BRAC, the world’s largest non-profit organization, has contacted us about using our ‘My Name is Runa’ book as part of their curriculum.

Board member Els Heijnen facilitated an online and in-person training day on inclusive education with more than 40 participants. Staff from various BRAC education programs participated. In addition to a training session on ‘what is a disability?’, ‘who has a disability?’, ‘how do you know?’ and ‘is it important to know that?’, with individual and group activities, short videos and other visual aids, another main focus was the need for inclusive children’s books. BRAC has already taken the first steps by including children with disabilities in their schools. As BRAC schools are eventually taken over by the Ministry of Education, the impact of this is big and may ultimately become even bigger still.

Because by nature, children are more open, curious and adaptable than most adults, they are more receptive to understanding and embracing new ideas. By introducing inclusive values early on, as they grow up, children can become advocates for change, thereby hopefully shaping a more empathetic future.
Through the partnership with BRAC, 35,000 students will learn about Runa this year and in the coming years. In November, we got to witness how teachers are using the book in the classroom.

Are you also interested in our ‘My name is Runa’ project? Please contact Els at els@niketan.nl