Volunteering at CRPThe 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:– 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 – 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

GobindapurA 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 kmLand: 130,168 sq kmWater: 13,830 sq km Bordering countries:Burma 193 km, India 4,053 kmReligious BeliefsMuslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% Gross National Income Per Capita: $1230.00Life expectancy at birth (m/f): 63/63Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births): 69Total 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 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.

The Clients

• 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 CRPor 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.

• 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

• 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

– One: ak Five: paach Nine: noy– Two: dui Six: ch’oy Ten: dosh– Three: teen Seven: shaat Twenty: beesh– Four: chaar Eight: aat One Hundred: ak shoh

WeatherBangladesh 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 Nationalstadium. 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 DhakaWill cost around 500 takabut 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 • 1st Floor (Midle):• Double room 2 Single beds with attached bathroom Tk.200.00 (Tk.100 each) • Single room 1 bed with common bathroom Tk.100.00 • 2nd Floor (Top):• Double room 2 Single beds with attached bathroom Tk.200.00 (Tk.100 each)• Double room 2 Single beds with common bathroom Tk.150.00 (Tk. 75 each)• Single room 1 bed with common bathroom 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.

• 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 GardenNew Airport RoadMohakhali, DhakaOpen: 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.

• 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.

Shopping

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• 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-world-factbook/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