The CareTech Foundation is proud to continue its partnership with MAITS, building on the success of the Community Health Worker (CHW) Empowerment Programme to improve the lives of children with disabilities and their families across Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Partnership 2022-24:
Between 2022 and 2024, the CareTech Foundation supported MAITS to deliver the Community Health Worker Empowerment Programme, bringing specialist disability support to communities with limited access to therapy and rehabilitation services.
During the programme:
- 408 disability professionals and community-based workers were trained.
- 2,995 children with disabilities and their families received practical, home-based support and early intervention.
- 62 trainers were certified, strengthening local capacity to deliver training sustainably.
- The University of Karachi became the first university in Pakistan to integrate community-based rehabilitation into its Special Education curriculum.
- In Bangladesh, the programme expanded through a partnership with the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), training an additional 30 community health workers.
By the programme’s conclusion, support was delivered at an average cost of just £27 per family, demonstrating a highly scalable and sustainable model. Training resources were also translated into Sindhi, Urdu and Bangla, ensuring knowledge remains accessible within local communities long after the programme’s completion.
Partnership 2026-27:
Following the programme’s success, we are delighted to extend our partnership with MAITS to deepen its impact across South Asia.
The next phase will focus on strengthening local leadership and creating lasting, community-led change by:
- Improving early identification and intervention for children with disabilities.
- Reducing stigma surrounding disability.
- Increasing access to health and educational services.
- Strengthening the wellbeing, confidence and resilience of caregivers.
Together with MAITS, we remain committed to creating more inclusive communities where children with disabilities can access the support they need to thrive at home, in school and throughout their communities.
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“We are delighted to continue our partnership with the CareTech Charitable Foundation. Their support has already helped us demonstrate how empowering community health workers can transform the lives of children with disabilities and their families. In Pakistan, there is a strong network of community-based workers who are deeply trusted by families. By equipping them with the right skills in disability and early intervention, we are creating a sustainable system of support that reaches children who would otherwise be left behind. CareTech’s commitment to long-term impact and capacity building aligns closely with our vision, and together we are helping communities build the knowledge and confidence to support their own children.”
