Latest Volunteers at CRP

If you are inspired by some of the recent volunteer experiences below and are interested in becoming a volunteer then please look at the CRP website

Oxford University Volunteers
Grace Dowling, Cathy Zhang, Anna Carlgvist & Abigail Tyer – are all Oxford University medicine students. They came to know about CRP through “Travel-Aid”, a charity organization within the University of Oxford. They spent the majority of their time at CRP volunteering at the inclusive school which has children with many disabilities. . Before going, they knew a very little about Cerebral Palsy apart from academic learning with some pictures. It quite shocked them when they first met a cerebral palsied child in person. But they also realised that these children are like all other normal children too who love company, bubbles, cars etc. & the fact that quite impressed them that crying is something that simply does not happen at the school.

They really found it a rewarding experience when something taught to them in the classroom came to life in the operation theatre.

The group sent their thanks to all CRP members for being such helpful to them & especially to Valerie Taylor for setting up the program at Oxford University.

Kate Hollands
CRP has provided me with an incredible experience of the culture, people and society of Bangladesh, and I would advise anyone with the opportunity to volunteer here to take it as soon as possible. You won’t regret it! ‘Kate Hollands is working as a General Volunteer and is currently helping in the Advocacy Department. Recently she reported back her view on volunteering at CRP. She says ‘I believe working at CRP gives people valuable new opportunities and experiences. I have helped in the inclusive school, working with the children which is incredibly rewarding. Working in the Advocacy department has developed my knowledge of the impact CRP has on the society of Bangladesh. They are always striving to achieve the best for their people. Experiencing various therapy sessions in the hospital and observing how well patients benefit from CRP makes me feel very privileged to be part of such an organisation. I have gained valuable medical experience, greatly contributing to my desired future profession. CRP offers volunteering opportunities to people all around the world. Activities such as working in the inclusive school, helping in the hospital and working in the various departments of CRP are all available for our volunteers.

Samantha Fuller
I am an Occupational Therapy student studying for a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours at York St John University. As part of my course I must complete 1,000 hours of clinical work in an Occupational Therapy setting. My clinical hours have been completed here at CRP this summer. I arrived on 24th May 2012 and will leave on 3rd August 2012 after a ten week placement. I have spent these ten weeks under the supervision of hand speciality Occupational Therapist Sumanta Ray.

My learning has been fantastic!!! There is a difference between the conditions and injuries seen in English and Bangladeshi hand therapy units. England has a strict health and safety culture and as a result the number of traumatic injuries is far less than here. England’s electricity system is highly maintained and very safe unlike Bangladesh, and so we do not see severe electrical injuries like the ones presented at CRP. Oil hurricane lamps are not used in England; therefore our children do not experience the accidental burns that the little ones here do. Ceiling fans do not pose a problem as we do not have them, and industrial and work-related injuries are far fewer owing to the rigorous safety precautions which are part of our culture.
My educator at CRP, Mr Sumanta Ray has been an outstanding supervisor. He has encouraged me in independent learning and as a result I have a sound knowledge of upper limb anatomy and the various conditions which affect this part of the body. I have been taught well to assess muscle strength, range of motion and levels of sensory perception. I have been instructed in scar-management therapy and feel very confident with these newly found skills.

This placement has afforded me the opportunity to work autonomously as a hand therapist. It has improved my professional reasoning skills and my ability to plan and implement effective interventions under the expert supervision of an experienced Occupational Therapist.

The length of my placement has meant that I have been able to follow the progress of some patients from the time of referral to discharge, and I have been involved in all stages of their programmes. The patients I have treated from my own caseload have shown marked improvements over the few weeks I have been providing therapy and this has been evident in re-assessment and evaluation procedures.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement here at CRP and feel that the time I have spent here has expanded my skills as an Occupational Therapist. I believe that what I have learned and experienced will be very valuable for my continuing career and future practice.

Thank you to all the staff members at CRP who made my visit so enjoyable. I will treasure my memories of Bangladesh forever in my heart.