BASMA Association

The BASMA Association for the Promotion of Employment of the Disabled is a charitable association. It was established on March 7, 2000, by Mrs. Leila Ben Ali, the wife of the former president of the Republic of Tunisia, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The BASMA (meaning "smile" in Arabic) Association seeks to back up the State's efforts in the integration of disabled people, particularly by contributing to enhancing their employment, offering them assistance in finding jobs in both the public and private sectors and also in starting their own projects. The association endeavors to disseminate the spirit of initiative and the sense self-reliance amongst disabled people and persons with specific needs, so as to repel the notion of dependency and to urge them to actively contribute to their own integration in the socio-economic circuit. BASMA contributes also to the training and employment of disabled people, and aids them market their products and participate in various trade fairs and events.