Handmade masterpieces by special-needs children steal the show at SME fair

Children with special needs are turning heads at the 12th National SME Products Fair with their creativity and skills.

Among them is Fabeeha, who crafts intricate bracelets, jewellery, and other handmade items using colourful threads and silk strands. Her delicate, vibrant creations have quickly become a standout attraction.

Challenging the common perception that people with special needs are dependent, the children of the Inspiration Welfare Society have shown that they are talented, precise, and entrepreneurial. Their handmade jewellery, felt, jute, and beaded crafts have become a highlight of the fair.

The initiative began in 2000 when Saida Munira Islam founded the Inspiration Welfare Society, inspired by her own daughter and determined to change societal attitudes about children with special needs. 

Two years ago, she sought support from the SME Foundation, which initially doubted the children's abilities but agreed to a seven-day entrepreneurship training program. The workshop taught product design, quality control, and production skills, allowing the children to showcase their talent through jewellery-making, beadwork, and embroidery.

At the three-day fair, held on 3 December for National and International Disability Day, the society secured the top spot among 32 stalls. "The quality, handmade beauty, and affordability of their products impressed everyone," Munira said. Some items sold out so quickly at previous fairs that she wondered if they would have enough for display. 

Children from outside Dhaka, including remote regions, also contributed innovative products. Today, more than 2,000 children with special needs are part of this initiative, proving that with guidance and support, they can achieve remarkable things.