Transcript Slide 1

Volunteering at CRP
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
CRP’s History
The Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed
(CRP) was founded in 1979 by a small group of
Bangladeshi’s and British physiotherapist Valerie
Taylor. Valerie had come to what was known as
East Pakistan in 1969 as part of Voluntary Service
Overseas (VSO), working as a physiotherapist in
Chandragona Hospital, near Chittagong until her
stay was interrupted in 1971 when she was
evacuated as the War of Independence began. In
September, 1971, two months before the war was
to finish and Bangladesh is born as a nation,
Valerie returns, increasingly aware of the need for
rehabilitation services for the disabled and the
growing number of patients as a result of the on
going war.
Valerie remained in Bangladesh until
1973, when she returned home to
England and began to raise funds to
establish a rehabilitation centre for the
disabled. In 1975 Valerie returned to
Bangladesh and began working at
Shaheed Surawady Hospital in Dhaka, all
the while continuing her efforts to
establish CRP. In 1979, in two cement
sheds in the grounds of the hospital, CRP
admitted their first patients. CRP moved
to two different locations before
acquiring land in Savar in 1990 where the
current CRP headquarters is now based.
CRP Today
• CRP’s Savar facility has grown to a 100 bed hospital and remains the only
facility in the country providing specialist care for spinal cord injury
patients. Other services provided at CRP Savar are:
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Medical and surgical services
Diagnostic services
Telemedicine
O.T and P.T for in and out patients
Speech and language therapy
Paediatric services for children with cerebral palsy (in and out patient)
Half way hostel where patients to prepare for their return to their home and community
Social welfare unit which provides assistance to CRP service users
Metal workshop to produce mobility aids and equipment for disabled people
Wood workshop to produce furniture and a range of toys to order
Orthotics and prosthetics workshops to produce assistive devices for disabled people
Specialist seating workshop, creating individually crafted seating units for disabled
children
– Madhab memorial vocational training institute
– William and Marie Taylor School which provides inclusive education
– Bangladesh health professional Institute (BHPI)
Mirpur
A 13 story building in Dhaka, the aim of this facility is to expand CRP’s
services using the lower 6 floors, and enhance CRP financial stability by
renting the upper 7 floors out to other business. Construction of this
facility was completed in 2004.
Services including
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Medical consultancy
Surgery
Diagnostic services
16 Private rooms
O.T and Pt (In and Out patients)
Paediatric unit for children with cerebral palsy
Domiciliary service (1xOT,1xPT)
Gonokbari
A residential vocational re-training centre for disabled women and girls
Gobindapur
A centre for out-patient and community based services in Sylhet Division
CRP
• Vision – To ensure the inclusion of
disabled people in mainstream society
• Mission – To promote an environment where
all disabled people can have equal access to
health, rehabilitation, education,
employment, the physical environment and
information.
Bangladeshi History
• 304bc – 12 Century AD –Bengal is a Buddhist country. The country sees a
number of rulers and plays a part in the development of the religion.
• 12 century – Hindu armies come to rule Bengal and crush Buddhism.
• Late 12th Century – Sufi (Muslim mystics) missionaries arrive. Following
this Mohammed bin Bakhtiar arrives with 20 men under his command and
quickly takes control of Bengal, bringing the area under the rule of the
sultanate of Delhi.
• 1576 – Bengal become a province of the Mughal Empire, Dhaka become
the capital city.
• 1618 – 1707 – During the reign of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, a Bengali
Muslim prince sells 3 villages to the British East India Company . From here
their influence begins to spread to all of Bengal and eventually the whole
sub continent.
• 1707 - Following the death of Aurangzeb the Mughal Empire is thrown into
disarray and Bengal, already having autonomy breaks away from the
empire
• 1756-57: Suraj –ud Daula, The Newab (ruler) of Bengal attacks Calcutta,
British citizens are among those killed as a result of the attacks. Robert
Clive kills Suraj-ud-Daula to avenge the deaths and becomes the defacto
ruler of Bengal
• 1758 – 1857: The British East India Company control Bengal, there poor
policies making them unpopular with the local population. Following the
Sepoy Mutiny the British government steps in and takes control of India
• 1885 - The Indian National Congress is formed, a largely Hindu
organisation concerned with pursing greater independence.
• 1913 - The All-India Muslim League is formed to also pursue independence
for India and amid concern over living in a Hindu governed nation; the
establishment of 2 separate Muslim states
• 1943 - The Great Bengal Famine occurs due to crop failure and the
redirection of Indian resources to the British World II efforts. 5 million
people starve to death.
• 1947 – Following the end of world war II and under international pressure,
independence is granted with the Viceroy of British India acting on the
wishes of the All-India Muslim League and partitioning the country,
resulting in the formation of West Pakistan, India and East Pakistan
(formally Bengal). For months after independence, a huge violent exodus
takes place as Hindus fled to India, and Muslims to East and West Pakistan.
East Pakistan is ruled by a government based in West Pakistan and as a
result receives an uneven distribution of public revenue and support.
• 1952 – The Pakistan government declares Urdu as the national language.
21st February, 1952 sees 12 students killed when participating in riots
over the Bangla Language Movement in Dhaka. Around this time the
Awarmi League emerges as the national East Pakistan political party, with
strong ties to the Language Movement and led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
• 1970 - Cyclone kill’s 300 to 500,000 people in East Pakistan. West Pakistan
do little to aid in this situation and relations between the two regions
become dangerously strained as anti government sentiment increases.
1971 – The Awami League wins the national election with a clear majority which
should constitutionally results in them forming the government for all of Pakistan.
President Khan postpones the opening of the National Assembly to prevent this
happening.
26th March, 1971 - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is imprisoned in West Pakistan.
Following the arrest Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi Freedom Fighters) begin to defy
West Pakistani forces, taking over a Chittagong radio station, announcing the birth
of a new nation and calling on its people to resist the West Pakistani forces.
Blaming Hindu intellectuals for the rebellion, immediately following the arrest of
Sheikh Mujib Pakistani generals send tanks to Dhaka University, firing at the halls,
killing students. This is followed by the shelling of Hindu neighbourhoods and the
selective search for intellectuals, business people and any other group considered
subversive by the military.
•November, 1971 - all of East Pakistan is occupied by West Pakistani forces
•December 3rd, 1971 – Following an increasing number of border clashes the
West Pakistani air force makes a pre-emptive attack on India
•December 7th, 1971- India forces cross the border and liberate Jessore and
prepare to take Dhaka
•December 14th, 1971 – West Pakistan forces are defeated following attacks that
involved the Indian army, Mukti Bahini and the civilians of Bengal.
•26th December, 1971 - Pakistan sign the surrender agreement, and the nation of
Bangladesh is born
•1973 -74 - Devastating famine occurs
•1974- State of emergency is declared, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman pronounced
himself president
•15th August, 1975 - Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and many of his family are killed in a
military coup. His daughter survives this attack and goes on to become Prime
Minister in 1996
•1976 – Head of the army, General Ziaur Rahmur takes over as head of the martial
law administration and assumes the presidency.
•1978 – President Zia, as the general becomes popularly known wins presidential
pole
•1979 – President Zia’s position is consolidated when his party, the newly formed
Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) wins over two thirds of the vote in the
parliamentary elections
•1980’s – Economic development improves as international assistance begins to
arrive
1990’s – President Zia’s wife Begum Khaleda Zia assumes the role as head of the
BNP and narrowly maintains there position in power in the 1991 election. Over the
following years economic growth suffers and rallies and strikes occur.
1996 – The BNP government is bought down by the Awami League following a
periods of economically damaging hartals (strikes)
2001 – Khaleda Zia and three other BNP coalition party members win the election.
Stating they believe that the elections where rigged the Awami League, now in
opposition boycott parliament
2007 – As the BNP Finalise there tenure in power and with both parties unable to
agree on a unelected, neutral government to organise elections as their
constitution dictates, power is handed to a military caretaker government
overseen by Fakhruddin Ahmed. One of his first acts is to postpone elections until
late 2008, ban all political activity and promises to stamp out corruption.
Late 2007 – Cyclone Sidr hits the southwest coast of Bangladesh killing 3500
people, it is said that this number may have been much higher were it not for the
early warning systems implemented following a 1991 cyclone that killed between
140,000 to 200,000
December 18th 2008 – General elections held, Awami league win more than 250
of the 300 seats in Parliament
January 2009 - Sheikh Hasina sworn in as prime minister.
February 2009 – 74 people are killed, most of which are army officers when the
Bangladesh Rifles boarder guards undertake a mutiny unhappy with pay and
working conditions. Over the following months 1700 border guards are arrested
and charged in relation to the mutiny.
Bangladesh Today
Population: 155,991,000
Total Area: 143,998 sq km
Land: 130,168 sq km
Water: 13,830 sq km
Bordering countries:
Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Religious Beliefs
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1%
Gross National Income Per Capita:
$1230.00
Life expectancy at birth (m/f): 63/63
Probability of dying under five (per 1 000
live births): 69
Total expenditure on health per capita
(Intl $, 2006): $69.00
Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2006): 3.1%
Infant Mortality rate: 59.02 deaths/1,000 live births
Literacy Rate: males 55.5% and females 43.4%
Gross Enrolment in Primary Education (M/F): 94/98% (2003-4)
Population living under the poverty line (<$1 a day) 36%
Access to safe drinking water: Urban Areas – 99.7%
Rural Areas – 96.8%
Agriculture products - rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane,
potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef,
milk, poultry
Industries - cotton textiles, jute, garments,
tea processing, paper newsprint, cement, chemical
fertilizer, light engineering, sugar
The Clients
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The majority of the patients are aged 25-29 years.
Mean age of 31 years and mode of 30 years.
83% were males
65% were married
Around 40% patients were illiterate
Daily labourer and farmer are the major occupations
The mean monthly family income of the patients was
about 4287 taka (A$74.35)
• 92% came from rural area’s
• 84% belonged to nuclear family.
• 51% came from Dhaka division.
• 65% of the patents were admitted within the first 29 days of the
lesion occurring.
• 93% of patients had a traumatic cause of injury . Falling from height
was reported in 51% cases as the causes of the lesion.
• 49 % have paralysed lower limbs and 44% have paralysis of all four
limbs.
• Most common skeletal level segment affected was the cervical
spinal (44%)
• C4 was the neurological level affected in 31% of cases, making it the
most common amongst CRP clients.
• 78% of patients are classified as a having a complete neurological
level injury.
• Around 43% of the patients had pressure areas when admitted at
CRP.
• 89% of patients require catheterisation for the management of
bladder function.
Getting there
• Flights to Dhaka
– If you are heading to Dhaka most flights will go via Bangkok, Singapore, Abu
Dharbi and Kuala Lumper. The following airlines offer services to Dhaka.
Please take the time to compare price and services.
– Air Asia
– Emirates
– Malaysian Airlines
– Singapore Airlines
• Airport Pick Up
– On arrival at Zia International Airport CRP will arrange a driver to pick you up
as per your arrival details provided to Mizan. If your flight arrives after
midnight you will have to wait until the morning for a driver as night driving
presents a safety issue .
• Cash
– Bring US dollars to be exchanged as other nations currency may not be
accepted. When you exchange cash you will be issued with a receipt, ensure
you keep hold of it as you will need it to exchange taka on your departure.
Dress
Men
– Men should dress in pants and short sleaved shirts whilst
working at CRP. Shorts and singlets are generally frowned
upon. Outside of working hours try wearing a lungi,
available from Savar Bazaar.
Women
– Women should ensure they dress modestly when in
Bangladesh. Wearing a salwar kameez or sari, traditional
women's wear will ensure you are wearing appropriate
attire. Both can be made at the tailors directly outside CRP
or purchased in the bazaar.
Language
• Most CRP staff have a high level of English language skills, however making
an effort to grasp the language will make your stay easier and more
rewarding as many patients and locals will only speak Bangla. CRP provide
regular Bangla language lessons for volunteers and students through out
your stay. Below are a list of commonly used words and phrases to get
you started.
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Hello (Muslim greeting ) : as-sa-lam wa-lai-kum
Hello (Muslim Response) : wa-lai-kum as-sa-lam
Hello (Hindu greeting and response): no-mohsh-kar
See you again: Aba da-k’a ho-be
How are you?: ka-mohn aa-ch’en
Fine, and you?: b’a-loh aap-ni
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My name is….: aa-mar naam…..
What is your name?: aap-nar naam ki?
Thank you: d’oh-noh-baad
I am from (Australia): aa-mi desh (Australia)
I am an (occupational therapy) student: aa-mi (occupational therpay) sutra
How much? (when purchasing): kolta taka
I don’t speak Bangla: aa-mi Bangla bohl-te paa-ri na
I don’t understand: aa-mi buj-te nah
Will take me to (savar): (savar) djaben
Turn (left): taarn kohr-ben baa-me
Turn (right): taarn kohr-ben daa-ne
Stop here - ekhane thamen
Do as I’m doing (useful when treating) aap-ne motor koren
Numbers
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One: ak
Two: dui
Three: teen
Four: chaar
Five: paach
Six: ch’oy
Seven: shaat
Eight: aat
Nine: noy
Ten: dosh
Twenty: beesh
One Hundred: ak shoh
Weather
Bangladesh has three main
seasons: the monsoonal season
(wet season) from late May to
early October when 75% of the
annual rainfall happens and
humidity reaches 90 to 95%; the
cool season from mid-October
to the end of February when the
weather is sunny and dry; and
the hot season from March to
mid-May with temperatures
reaching up into the 40°’s
Transport
• Rickshaw to Savar
– 10 taka (1-2 passengers) 15-20 taka
(3 passengers) late at night or raining
15-20 taka (occasionally more)
• Bus to Dhaka
– Take a rickshaw to Savar, then walk
just past the footbridge on the CRP
side of the road and buy a ticket at
one of the ticket stands for your
destination.
• Bus from Savar to Old Dhaka
Take a bus destined for Kamlapur Train station and get off at the National
stadium. This will bring you to the edge of the Old Dhaka area.
• Bus from Savar to Gulshan
Take a bus to Asad Gate,
Get off here and walk
around the corner. Take
another bus to Gulshan II.
(people will usually point
you in the right direction)
• Taxi from Dhaka
Will cost around 500 taka
but you will need to bargain.
Accommodation
• CRP offers accommodation for all students and volunteers in the
guesthouse. Comprising of single and double room, all with fans and
mosquito nets, attached and shared bathroom and kitchen. The
accommodation is basic but comfortable and provides a good atmosphere
to get to know other volunteers and students.
• Room Rates
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1st Floor (Midle):
Double room 2 Single beds with attached bathroom
Single room 1 bed with common bathroom
Tk.200.00 (Tk.100 each)
Tk.100.00
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2nd Floor (Top):
Double room 2 Single beds with attached bathroom
Double room 2 Single beds with common bathroom
Single room 1 bed with common bathroom
Tk.200.00 (Tk.100 each)
Tk.150.00 (Tk. 75 each)
Tk.100.00
Meals
• Lunch is the main meal of the day and is cooked by the ire’s at a minimal
cost, with guest asked to settle their bills regularly. Meals usually consist
of fish, beef or lamb curry, vegetables and rice. Vegetarian food is
available on request. In Bangladesh eating with your hands is the norm,
but always ensure you use your right hand, as the left is considered
unclean. Cutlery is available in the guesthouse.
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Meal Prices
Normal Delivery:
Breakfast
Tk.30.00
Lunch
Tk.60.00
Dinner
Tk.60.00
Special Delivery:
Breakfast
Tk.40.00
Lunch
Tk.80.00
Dinner
Tk.80.00
CRP’s Local Facilities
• Banks
– Dutch Bangla Bank ATM’s accept most cards. There are 2 located in
Savar, one on the CRP side of the main road, around 50 meters before
the footbridge. The second is on the opposite side of the road around
30 meters past the footbridge.
– Check www.xe.com or your financial institution for up to date
exchange rates
• Internet Access
– Computer and internet access is available in the computer room on
the second floor of the main building opposite Valerie's office. Access
is available after hours and a key is usually hanging in the guest house
kitchen on the first floor.
• Food
– Corner Store
• Located just outside the front gate selling milk, bread, tea, coffee, ice
cream, bananas, phone credit, soft drinks, biscuits, instant noodles etc.
– Fruit & veg man
• Also located just outside the front gate selling tomatoes, cucumbers,
onions, garlic, chilly, egg etc.
– Savar Bazaar
• In the Bazaar you will find a large range of seasonal fruit and vegetables
(you will have to bargain over price), biscuits, naan bread, natural yoghurt
(“tock doy”), cheese, peanut, butter and cereals. There are also a few
restaurants providing dine in or take away food.
– Western Supermarket in Gulshan
• There a couple supermarkets around Gulshan II that sell western food and
beverages. Selections can be a limited and prices high comparatively.
Drinking
• As Bangladesh is a Muslim country drinking alcohol is not socially
acceptable, in fact it is illegal for Bangladeshi to drink. If however you do
feel like a drink it can be purchased by foreigners duty free on arrival or
with an international passport from;
‘H. Kabir & Co. Ltd.
12 Abbas Garden
New Airport Road
Mohakhali, Dhaka
Open: Sun- Thursday, 9am – 5pm
It is located halfway between ‘Asad Gate’ and Gulshan, useful landmarks
to help locate it are Shaheen College and Captain’s World Restaurant.
Alternatively those volunteers staying for an extended time may wish to
join one of the ex-pat clubs that serve western food and alcohol and often
provide swimming and health facilities in and around Gulshan .
Things to see/Places to go
• Old Dhaka
– A bustling and intense part of town, a day getting lost in the back streets and
lane ways is a must. Follow this up with a boat ride down the Buriganga river,
the life blood of Dhaka. Hop off at the Sadraghat boat terminal and take a
short walk to the Pink Palace (Ahsan Manzil) followed by a stroll down Hindu
street.
• Gulshan
– The most westernised part of Dhaka, the Gulshan area takes in Banani and
Banridhara and is the centre of the diplomatic zone. Prices are higher in this
area but so too is the levels of quite and cleanliness. When navigating your
way around Gulshan use the two main round about’s on Gulshan avenue as
reference points, often referred to as Gulshan I and II
• National Martyrs’ Memorial
– A short drive or CNG ride from CRP the memorial is the 50 meter high tapering
structure built in honour of the millions of people who lost their lives in the
struggle for independence. Part of the grounds contain grass covered
platforms that mark the site of the mass graves of some of the many people
who lost there lives in the Liberation war.
Shopping
• Pearls
– Dhaka is a good place to purchase pearls at a very cheap rate. Quality and
price may vary so make sure you do your research. The horse shoe market
opposite the Western Hotel in Dhaka is a good place to start.
• Handicrafts
– Aarong in Gulshan is a great place to purchase handicrafts and is a retail outlet
of the Bangladeshi Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC). Jatra is another
good shop to buy uniquely Bangladeshi handicrafts, clothes and art. The CRP
aware shop also sells a range of wooden toys that can be made to order if you
wish.
• Clothes
– Western style garments made for export can be found at the Banga Bazar, be
prepared to haggle over price and be aware what some consider “western
style” clothes may be different to your idea
• Richshaw Art
– This unequally Bangladeshi art form can be seen on any rickshaw and is
usually painted on tin or vinyl. To get some head to bicycle street in Old Dhaka
and shop where the rickshaw wala’s do.
Overnight trips
• Cox’s Bazaar
– Voted by Bangladeshi as one of the natural wonders of the world, Cox’s Bazaar
is a source of pride for locals and is a favoured holiday destination. 8-10 hours
by bus or a short flight away Cox’s Bazaar is beach life Bangladeshi style and
although different to what you may be used to is still worth the trip.
• Srimangal
– The tea capital of Bangladesh this quite town can be reached by train in 6
hours and is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of Dhaka. With its
tea estates and pineapple plantations coupled with its proximity to
Lowacherra National Park Srimangal is the perfect place to get outside and
explore. Basic tours can sometimes be arranged with CNG drivers when
arriving at the train station. Be sure to try a 7 layer tea, the areas signature
drink
• Sylett
– The home town of many British Bangladeshi’s, Sylett profits from the money
put back into the economy by them and as a result has a more developed and
progressive appearance while at heart remaining a small village. Basic tours of
the tea estates are available and 3 hours drive away lies the Madhadkunda
waterfall.
• Chittagong
– Bangladesh’s second largest city and home to its busiest port, that some say
gives Chittagong a worldly, cosmopolitan feel. Explore the Old city and its
water front before heading to the hilly British City. Near by on the Chittagong
coast lye the infamous and controversial ship breaking yards where boats of all
size as brought from around the world, beached and dismantled by
Bangladeshi workers under extremely poor conditions. The near by
Chittagong Hill Tracts remains a region that the Australian government advises
reconsidering all non essential travel too due to civil unrest and the risk of
kidnapping.
Don’t leave home without
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Appropriate visa’s
Any required vaccinations
Light, loose fitting modest clothing
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Camera & accessories
Mosquito repellent
Head torch (for frequent power outages)
Power adaptor
Gastro medication (oral re-hydration solution, Imodiam etc)
Feminine hygiene products
References
• CRP Website
– www.crp-bangladesh.org
• World Health Organisation
– http://www.who.int/countries/bgd/en/
• WHO Country Profile
– http://www.searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Country_Health_System_Profile_
1-bangladesh.pdf
• United Nations
– http://www.un-bd.org/
• The World Fact Book
– https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-worldfactbook/geos/bg.html
• Bangladeshi Occupational Therapy Association
– http://botabd.netfirms.com/
“Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does
nothing because he could only do a little.”
- Edmund Burke