Advice and Guidelines for Volunteers at The Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Savar, Bangladesh
Background
CRP provides treatment and rehabilitation for people with different types
of paralysis. The hospital, staffed with fully trained nurses, doctors,
physiotherapists and occupational therapists, deals mainly with disability
caused by spinal injury or disease, but outpatient clinics include treatment
for cerebral palsy, polio, stroke and accident victims etc. CRP has an
academic institute, the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (BHPI)
where training is performed in relevant subjects, including B.Sc. Honours
Degree courses in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language
Therapy. CRP also has a Paediatric Unit and an inclusive school for in
which disabled children learn alongside mainstream students. In addition,
CRP takes an active role in promoting women's rights and campaigns on
social issues such as road traffic accidents and access to public buildings
for the disabled. As a volunteer you will find the work is varied and
challenging
In addition to its ongoing services, a wide range of activities takes place at CRP’s headquarters in Savar, including horse riding with disabled children, sports, art classes for patients and general patient activities.
Unlike most other organisations, CRP has always had a policy of accepting volunteers from all walks of life. There are two categories of volunteers; general volunteers who contribute in a variety of ways and usually stay for a period not exceeding 3 months, or professional volunteers who work in their own fields (e.g. occupational therapists) sometimes for longer periods of time. Volunteer applications are accepted via CRP’s website at www.crp-bangladesh.org.
These guidelines are designed to give you a clearer idea of what to expect and what is expected of you both prior to departure and for the duration of your stay at CRP. It is hoped that this information will help you during your stay and that the details fed back to us on your return will keep us up to date with issues that have affected you.
Application
1. Contact the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed by e-mail
at volunteers@crp-bangladesh.org
or go straight to the relevant application form on the website (for general
volunteers - www.crp-bangladesh.org/volunteer_genvolform.htm
or for professional volunteers www.crp-bangladesh.org/volunteer_provolform.htm.
For those without e-mail or internet access write to CRP, PO CRP Chapain,
Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Tel 00880 7710464/5. Fax 00880 2 7710069. Once
your stay has been confirmed, advise CRP by e-mail about your exact travel
times before you leave. If arriving by air please pass on the flight number
and arrival time. CRP will also provide you with a letter of introduction
which is required when applying for a visa for Bangladesh.
2. All applicants are encouraged to e-mail CRP directly with any questions prior to departure. We will try and answer promptly and comprehensively and, where possible, put you in touch with personnel from the department in which you will be volunteering. For UK residents wishing to volunteer at CRP contact Wendy Best , FCRP Volunteer Advisor, Monksmead, 27 East Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 OAN Tel: (44) (0)1460 52347, Fax: (44) (0)1460 52436 E-mail: wbestfcrp@aol.com for advice and information on volunteering at CRP. She will try to put you in touch with a recently returned volunteer. S.A.E. appreciated.
3. Contact the Bangladesh High Commission or Embassy in the country where you live to apply for a visa. CRP can advise on the nearest or most convenient Bangladesh Overseas Mission where visas are issued. A tourist visa will normally be valid for three months. Professional volunteers, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, who intend to stay for more than three months will need an “N visa”. To obtain this you will need a letter of introduction which is stamped “attested for N visa” by the NGO Affairs Bureau in Dhaka. CRP can arrange this for you but you will need to provide CRP with the following documentation:
1. Completed FDP form (click
here for FD9 form)
2. Copies of certificates of professional qualifications
3. Six passport sized photographs
Pre-departure checklist
1) Immunisation Check
If you did not receive the full normal routine childhood vaccinations
you will need to have the full course before departure. These may take
three months to complete. You should also have boosters in the following:
TB (BCG) Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio.
All volunteers should have vaccinations against Hepatitis A. For those volunteers who will be acting in a medical capacity of any sort it is advisable to have Hepatitis B if you have not already done so. This is a course of three injections. Bring anti-malarial tablets only if you wish to travel in Bangladesh. Malaria is only present in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and some areas of Sylhet Division. The recommended medication for Bangladesh is Paludrine and Chloroquine, and Methloquine (Larium) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. (Malaria is the main cause of death in aid workers. It often develops after your return home and is under diagnosed in Britain.) For further advice contact the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) tel: 0207 291 9333, www.masta.org
2) Air Fares
Airfares vary so shop around for the best deal. Depending on where you
live it may be possible to purchase your ticket via the internet. Airlines
which have connections to Dhaka include British Airways, Emirates, Biman
Bangladesh, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airways and Thai.
3) Travel Insurance
Travel Insurance is advisable for medical expenses and against personal
accident.
4) Funding
CRP is unable to assist short term volunteers with any of the costs of
travel or board and lodging during their stay. Government regulations
prohibit CRP giving remuneration to volunteers from funds in Bangladesh.
5) What To Bring
Postage stamps (during your stay some volunteers may be returning to the
your home country and letters can be sent with them); torch; water bottle;
mosquito repellent (bring plenty to last your stay); small first aid kit
including after bite cream; diarrhoea mix; a rehydration mix e.g. Dioralyte
(available locally); earplugs; scissors; penknife; sunglasses; money belt;
locks; universal sink plug; towels (not supplied in the Guest House);
bathing costume. Air pollution can be bad, so consider masks and throat
tablets. Toiletries are all available in the local shops. Some western
brands are also available in certain shops in Dhaka. For female travellers
it is worth taking enough tampons to last the trip as these are not available
in Dhaka.
6. Money
ATMs are widely available in Dhaka but check with your home bank before
leaving that your card will be accepted. Most ATMs accept Maestro, Mastercard
and VISA. Credit cards are accepted in some Dhaka shops and hotels.
Often there is mail or small items to take out to Bangladesh - something vital a volunteer has forgotten to bring. Therefore, if travelling from U.K. we would be grateful if you would please contact Wendy Best about 3 weeks before departing so items can be forwarded on to you.
If requesting that an item is taken on your behalf to CRP, please remember to leave the package easy to open and inspected by customs. Do not expect people to carry heavy items for you without first checking with them and agreeing to pay any excess baggage charge.
Arrival in Bangladesh
Airport
As soon as you have booked your flight please pass on the flight details
(flight number and arrival time) to CRP (volunteers@crp-bangladesh.org)
and someone will come to the airport to meet you. A hand held CRP board
will be visible so the best place to wait is just outside the arrivals
hall. There is a fenced-in area which you should not leave before you
identify the CRP representative who will be holding a "CRP"
sign. If for some reason no-one from CRP is there to meet please do not
worry as the driver may have been held up in traffic. If nobody has collected
you within 30 minutes of arrival please phone CRP from the phone office
within the fenced-in area and ask for advice. CRP's main switchboard number
is 7710464/5. No code is required. Alternatively, try CRP's administration
mobile number of 0173 016587. If your flight arrives very early in the
morning you will probably need to wait until 6:30 am for transport to
CRP. Dhaka airport is usually very busy and hectic. Please ensure that
you are sure of how to proceed upon arrival in Dhaka before leaving home.
This should be clarified in e-mail correspondence with CRP.
Beware of offers of assistance as you will probably be required to pay for it. Change some money in the airport in the baggage hall where there are several banks which offer the usual exchange rate. There are no banks or money exchanges in Savar. Ask for some small change (Tk. 2, 5 and 10).The exchange rate is normally around $1=Tk.60 (Taka 115 to the £ pound).
Arrival at CRP
If arriving independently, CRP is situated about 45 minutes drive from
Dhaka, at Chapain, Savar. CRP is approximately 1 km from Savar Bazaar
which lies on the main Dhaka-Aricha highway. There are signposts marked
“CRP 1 km” when coming from either direction and a large signboard
spanning the road leading to CRP. This small side road is on the right
when coming from Savar Bazaar and is the first road on the right after
the road divided ends.
Accommodation
On arrival at CRP you will be asked for Tk. 600 as a room key deposit.
This will be kept in the office to offset your final bill. One key is
for your bedroom and one for the outer door. Please be security conscious.
Rooms cost between Tk.500 and Tk.1050 per week. Nightly rates for single rooms are Tk. 70 and doubles Tk. 130 per night or Tk. 150 with attached bathroom. All rooms have wire mesh over the windows and each bed has a mosquito net. Bed linen is supplied but towels are not.
Meals at the Guest House cost Tk. 30 (lunch) and Tk. 30 (dinner). Most volunteers prepare their own breakfast and dinner. Meals are provided every day except Friday which is the weekly holiday. There is a staff canteen within CRP which offers hot meals and a small shop/cafe which sells supplies, cups of coffee and snacks.
There are cooking facilities on the first and second floor of the Guest House. There are also local restaurants and food shops close by. The kitchens have a supply of boiled and filtered water. There are also refrigerators but the electricity supply can be erratic. Mary is in charge of the Guest House and will do the cleaning and cooking. Please do not put anything on the walls of the Guest House. Volunteers are expected to clean their own room (and bathroom if en suite) with the materials provided. There are drying facilities on the roof which is locked at dusk for security reasons.
Rooms not in use are rented out to visitors at CRP as a source of income generation. Any room left vacant for 5 days without informing the office may have the guest's belongings packed up and stored to allow more guests to stay. It is important that you inform the office of your movements for security reasons.
It is the Muslim custom not to wear shoes in the house. It is advised that shoes or sandals be easy to take off and put on when visiting people's homes.
The BBC World Service radio is on 100FM
6-9.30am and 4-11.30pm.
Communication
There is an email facility for incoming emails. CRP's e-mail address for
volunteers is volunteers@crp-bangladesh.org
Please inform relatives that the telephone is at the main reception so it will only be available during office hours and it may take some time to find a person not expecting a call. There is limited privacy at reception.
There is a telephone kiosk inside the gate at CRP which may be used for local and international calls. The kiosk uses a card. There are also telephones available in the local shops which can be used for local and international phone calls and internet phone calls.
Office Hours
CRP Administration and Hospital and BHPI:
8:30am -1pm and 1:30pm – 4:30pm Saturday to Wednesday and 8:30am
- 1.30pm on Thursday
Friday is the weekly holiday.
Volunteers are expected to work 5 ½ days per week and to sign in and out at the appropriate times.
Smoking
Smoking is forbidden within the grounds of CRP.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is not allowed openly. CRP staff should not be invited
to join you to drink alcohol as this causes problems in a Muslim country.
Alcohol is available at the expatriate clubs in Dhaka. Drug taking is
strictly forbidden.
Personal Security
Generally speaking, Bangladesh is a safe country for foreigners to visit.
Most visitors leave feeling touched by the warmth and hospitality of the
Bangladeshi people. However, the political and security situation in Bangladesh
can be volatile. Protests or gatherings often lead to violent clashes
between protesters and security forces. There are frequent ‘hartals’
(general strikes) which disrupt business and communication. Violence related
to organised crime is also common. Although the risk for foreigners is
minimal, CRP strongly recommends that all volunteers register with their
Embassy or High Commission in Dhaka. CRP’s staff are kept up-to-date
with the security situation and will advise volunteers accordingly. You
may want to consult travel advice given by your government. For UK citizens
this can be accessed at www.fco.gov.uk/travel
or www.ukinbangladesh.com.
Valuables
Do not bring items of value (e.g. expensive watches or jewellery) with
you. Guard cameras carefully. Keep your money and passport in the CRP
safe located in the office. Make sure that you insure against loss. Keep
photocopies of your passport, travel and insurance documents separately.
It is not advisable to have parcels sent as items often go missing and clearance through airport customs or the post office can cause problems.
CRP's volunteer co-ordinator will try to help with any further questions you may have.
Work
Some volunteers may have specialised skills which they will be able to
put to use immediately. The emphasis is on passing on skills and techniques
to the local staff and exchanging ideas.
General volunteers are encouraged to look at the various activities going on and discuss how they would like to fill their time before committing themselves. A timetable will be worked out with each volunteer on an individual basis, following their induction. Tasks may include assisting with nursing, helping bed bound patients, income generation projects, setting up and supervision of sports or arranging outings. Teaching English to students, patients and staff is also very much in demand and will be supervised by a qualified English teacher.
It is often difficult to adjust to the new situation of CRP and Bangladesh and easy to feel isolated, frustrated and of no use - especially coming from the structured lifestyle and employment in a Northern country. Adjustment takes time. Remember that any time you spend with a paralysed person, no matter how trivial it seems, will be time well spent.
If you have not met a spinal injured or paralysed person before, talk to the medical staff. Some activities or movements may be dangerous for some patients and volunteers need to be aware of this.
FLEXIBILITY, INITIATIVE AND PATIENCE are three key qualities expected of volunteers
Professional Volunteers
Professional volunteers (for example physiotherapists, occupational therapists,
nurses, doctors, English teachers) have made valuable contributions to
CRP throughout the years. It is hoped that professional volunteers can
be provided with as much information as possible prior to arrival in CRP.
This will obviously allow for preparation beforehand and avoid time wasting
after arrival. For physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech
and language therapists the demand is highest on the teaching side, in
CRP's training institute, the Bangladesh Health Professions Institute
(BHPI). This role involves lecturing, taking practical classes and supervising
students on placement in various hospitals in Dhaka. It is a challenging
role and best suited to those who are experienced and (preferably) have
taught before. Even those who have many years of experience can find this
role very demanding. Courses are taught in accordance with an academic
calendar, however, this is subject to change throughout the year depending
on staff availability, exam and admission dates (stipulated by the University
of Dhaka, the Bangladesh State Medical Faculty or Jahangir Nagar University).
After your initial application has been accepted you will be provided with details about specific subjects and placements. Ideally, volunteer teachers would stay for a minimum period of one year. However, if you commit to working in the training institute for a shorter period of time this can also be extremely worthwhile but you should take advice about the most suitable time. You are strongly discouraged from taking holidays during teaching duties as this obviously disrupts the continuity of teaching and learning. Those who commit to professional volunteering at CRP are expected to sign a contract and will, as far as possible, be treated like any other employee of CRP. (Please see the exemplar contract for further details.)
Professional volunteers who are not willing to sign such a contract should consider contributing as a general volunteer. In this role, your professional skills and experiences will be utilised as much as possible where/when appropriate (activities such as "guest lecturing", providing in-service training and so on) but you will have more flexibility with regards to working hours and time off. This role would also allow you to become involved in other activities (e.g. income generation, general administration etc.) which may not be directly linked to your profession.
Cultural issues
Language
Bengali is the official language. Many people at CRP speak fluent English
and there will always be several native English speakers available. Volunteers
are advised to spend some time each day learning essential phrases. Bengali
classes are held for newly arrived volunteers.
There are several language books available (see reading list). Prior to leaving home try to learn some Bengali (counting, days of the week, parts of the body, food, directions etc.) from staff at a local hospital or restaurant perhaps.
Dress
Bangladeshi women wear a sari or a shalwar kameez (long tunic, baggy trousers
and scarf). It is advised that female volunteers wear the same, or long
loose fitting tops with loose trousers or ankle length skirts. Shalwar
kameez can be bought in local shops and in Dhaka from Tk. 250 upwards.
They can also be made-to-measure in CRP or elsewhere. Shoulders and bottoms
should be covered, though females will not be expected to cover the head.
Female volunteers should not wear sleeveless tops or tight fitting or
short clothes. Western clothes can be worn in the expatriate clubs in
Dhaka. Men have no real restrictions except that shorts should not be
worn in public.
Humidity is very high in the summer so cotton is essential. During the winter (December and January) it can get quite cold at night so jumpers, socks and pyjamas are useful.
Behaviour
Bangladesh is a Muslim country, therefore, there will be restrictions
in behaviour. CRP is used to receiving volunteers and is more accepting
of Westerners and their ways than the rest of the country. Nevertheless,
CRP regularly receives criticism or complaints about the behaviour of
visitors from the west.
Women should not look at a (male) stranger straight in the eye. This is seen as a 'come on'. Females should not visit Bangladeshi men alone in their rooms. However innocent this may seem this would be interpreted as compromising behaviour and this is not acceptable. Students are discouraged from visiting volunteers in their rooms.
Bangladeshis have closest friendships with their own sex and hand holding is acceptable between members of the same sex. Men and women do not show affection in public, including holding hands.
Personal Safety
Bangladesh is obviously very different from any European country. Although,
on the whole, foreigners can go about their daily business undisturbed
there are various precautions which should be taken. You should avoid
travelling alone, particularly after dark. It can be unsafe to travel
alone and incidents have taken place in the past which may not have occurred
had there been a group of foreigners together. While CRP management recognises
that such incidents can happen in any country, it is responsible for the
safety of volunteers working at the Centre. However, CRP management cannot
take responsibility for anything which may happen to those who refuse
to take this advice.
Hospitality
Hospitality is of great importance to Bangladeshis. Any request made by
a foreigner is likely to be met - even if it is very inconvenient. Please
be sensitive.
The left hand is considered unclean. Use your right hand when giving or receiving anything and for eating. Because the right hand is used for eating (not knives and forks) a bowl and jug of water is passed round before a meal in order to wash the right hand. However simple a home or basic a cafe, there will always be some way of washing your hands.
Bangladeshis do not have the same concept of privacy as we do. They derive security from togetherness. Conversations or the contents of a letter may appear to be for all to share. This can seem inquisitive or rude but would not be intended.
The western sense of urgency of 'wanting to get things done' is very different from the Bangladeshi laid back, calm approach (often interpreted by westerners as laziness ). Tradition is important; change hard to implement. Question whether changes are sustainable or will actually make long-term improvements. When words or actions puzzle, question rather than taking offence.
Sometimes volunteers feel frustrated at the way things are done and feel a simple change could make all the difference. Don't jump to conclusions. Discuss matters in a constructive manner during your stay at CRP.
Suggested Reading for your Trip
"Triumph of the Challenged, conversations with especially able people"
by Elspeth Waldie available from Wendy Best (£9.50 + £1.50
p&p)
This is an account by a former short term volunteer at CRP
‘Songs at the River's Edge’
by Katy Gardener (£6.99)
From Virago 1991 London ISBN 1 85381 249
Stories from a Bangladeshi Village
‘An Indian Attachment’ by Sarah Lloyd
‘Down to Earth’ by Pat Kerr. The courageous story of the British Airways stewardess who helped to build a children’s village in Bangladesh
‘Bangladesh - the strength to succeed’
by Jim Monan (£3.50)
Oxfam publications 1989 ISBN 05598
‘Bangladesh - a legacy of Blood’
by Anthony Mascarenhas
This gives a historical and political account of events around independence
and the early years of the country.
‘The Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit’ - Bangladesh
‘Teach yourself Bengali’ by
William Radice (£12.99)
Hodder and Stoughton
'Voluntary Work Abroad' , by Corinna Thomas (£5.99) A volunteers account of the work she did at CRP for 3 months.
‘Learning Bengali through English’
- Hilali (£13.95)
Ruposhi Bangla Book Shop, 220 Tooting High Street, London SW17
Bengali / English Bengali dictionary
(£5.00)
Ghulum Mushid Ruposhi Bangla
There are also two videos on the work of CRP that may be useful for you to see before departure.
“From Horizontal to Vertical” (28 mins) and “Sanctuary on the Road to Dhaka” (15 mins)
* Please be aware that importing most meat and dairy products into EU member states (and most other countries) is illegal. Restrictions are also enforced on importing vegetable and plant products. You are strongly advised to avoid carrying any restricted items from Bangladesh when returning home. For further information please ask before leaving CRP or visit www.defra.gov.uk.