Ann and Alysia bringing Occupational Therapy to The
Disability Service Programme
20/02/07 20:06
We went on a 7 week placement to Kenya in November
and December of 2006. We arrived anxious and
uncertain of what we were about to embark on. Upon
meeting the Okidi’s we instantly felt like family and
started to settle into the Kenyan lifestyle.
Shortly before we arrived in Kenya the clinic had moved location from Kitere to the new Opapo site. Our first day at the new clinic was overwhelming and filled with new names, new faces and a culture we were working to understand. We recognized the tremendous need for our services but we were both unsure of where exactly Occupational Therapy would fit in. With the ongoing support of the wonderful Physiotherapists and support team we quickly adjusted to our new environment.
Midway through our placement we collaborated with local experts in the fields of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Nutrition to offer a week long training program for parents and children with disabilities. This training week addressed the issues of malnutrition, feeding, and fine and gross motor control. It took a tremendous amount of planning but parents; children and professionals could clearly see the benefits even by the middle of the week. It was a highlight for both of us to see how much parents and children progress through just five days of hard work, therapy and education.
By the end of our seven weeks we all had a strong understanding of the importance that Occupational Therapy plays in the lives of our clients. Mr. Okidi went on to implement an Occupational Therapy department at the Opapo clinic which is currently being run by a local Occupational Therapist Teresa Governor. We couldn’t have been more delighted with the experience and both feel that it will shape the way we work with all future clients regardless of the context in which we are treating.
Shortly before we arrived in Kenya the clinic had moved location from Kitere to the new Opapo site. Our first day at the new clinic was overwhelming and filled with new names, new faces and a culture we were working to understand. We recognized the tremendous need for our services but we were both unsure of where exactly Occupational Therapy would fit in. With the ongoing support of the wonderful Physiotherapists and support team we quickly adjusted to our new environment.
Midway through our placement we collaborated with local experts in the fields of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Nutrition to offer a week long training program for parents and children with disabilities. This training week addressed the issues of malnutrition, feeding, and fine and gross motor control. It took a tremendous amount of planning but parents; children and professionals could clearly see the benefits even by the middle of the week. It was a highlight for both of us to see how much parents and children progress through just five days of hard work, therapy and education.
By the end of our seven weeks we all had a strong understanding of the importance that Occupational Therapy plays in the lives of our clients. Mr. Okidi went on to implement an Occupational Therapy department at the Opapo clinic which is currently being run by a local Occupational Therapist Teresa Governor. We couldn’t have been more delighted with the experience and both feel that it will shape the way we work with all future clients regardless of the context in which we are treating.