The Bicol Express Vol 2

I had an ah-ha experience this week, and I think I am finally understanding what they want me to do.  It is an interesting challenge to; 1, speak a different language and 2, try to see an image someone has created who knows the organisation like the back of his hand and want you, no needs you, to see the same thing; but I think I am getting it.

Simon’s main aim is as an advocacy agency for people with disabilities.  They have a tone of different programs, including eye and ear screening, holiday programs for children with disabilities, a rehab center, prosthetics, orthotics    and adaptive equipment workshop, Community Based Rehab (CBR), an Early Intervention Program (EIP) and direct advocacy with local and national government (all done with under 30 staff).

I will be working mostly with EIP and physically assessing and treating clients within the Rehab center (CBR program) at Galilee.  Simon’s role within these programs is as a tertiary community centre that trains, mentors and advocates for local health centers.  Simon also runs its own center (Galilee for rehab, and hopefully soon its own play program, as soon as I design it).  They do this to demonstrate a model of best practice, that other clinics  can mirror and take back to their local towns and to keep their skills up to date.  The local health centers are usually run by team of health professionals, often just 1 physio and maybe 1 Social worker, and are funded by the local government.  Each center is then responsible for sourcing their own community workers (called Facilitators within the Early Intervention Program or ROI’s for the Rehab program).  Simon also runs mentorships and training programs for the ROI and Facilitators.

My job is to design a training program for the EIP facilitators, train up the trainers and then run several workshops for the Facilitators, in an attempt to formalise the training as well as increase the skills of the current facilitators. A small job within 8 months.

I am excited about sinking my teeth into it. The outcomes still change every day, but instead of it looking like a whole new project, the idea or request just becomes another section that fits in well to the over all goal.  I got to see a facilitator in action this week within the community as well as a play group at one of the rehab centers. It was an eye opening experience.  The family I saw all had TB, very basic bamboo hut with nil sanitation and high levels of malnourishment.  It was very evident how directly malnourishment linked with developmental delay.  The Facilitator was awesome, she was one of the original members of Simon and trained as an early education teacher prior.  She was so engaging and graded the activity perfectly.

I also ran a focus group with the current facilitators to see what the training module should contain.  Lots of ideas are developing and the skeleton is taking shape.  I think I can assist a bit with the play group, currently there is no structure or planned activities for the groups, the kids turn up and complete ranging exercises and walking activities.  Watch out creativity here I come!

I start in clinic this week so I can see first hand the type of children that they see and hopefully continue to build the skeleton a little more.

The Bicol Express Vol 1

I have just completed my first week of work, some days it feels like I have been here forever as I have packed in so much and other days it feels like I have just arrived.  On arrival, Simon continues to look like a highly efficient and professional organisation.  I flew into Legaspi and the views are just amazing.  The volcano is within eye sight everywhere and makes orientating to the city a little easier.  The place is so clean, beautiful and luscious, so different to Manila.  Kuya Edward is my boss and he met me at the airport with his wife, Erlynn who also works for Simon.  They took me for a tour of the city and surrounding areas.  The people are just so nice, welcoming and eager to interact with a 'westerner'.

I have moved into a family's house in a granny flat style room.  They are very supportive, know the workings of Simon and a great mentor for the project.  The people in the Philippines are so family orientated and call me uncle, grand nephew and just wrap you up with family like support.

The view from my bedroom! Note the volcano!

The project is taking shape, so far my mission is to assist with implementing functional input and goal orientated focus into their early intervention program.  At the same time, I will be working within the rehab program to see how OT may impact on the service.  Once we have established this I am to complete a manual and training within these areas.  There are focus groups booked in already!

I visited the village, which is a purpose built town for people with disabilities affected by the mega typhoon in 2006.  It is an amazing atmosphere of support and community.  I have met 4 of the children who live there, each with a traumatic story, but surrounded by the most supportive and loving families and community.  It was difficult to see some of the kids, and know what services are available in Aust and how they may look and function if they were in a different setting.  Most of these are medical based i.e surgeries, btx, and other medication.  But this is why I am here, to see what can be done!

I completed one focus group with the Rehab staff this week and nearly had a heart attack with what I thought they wanted me to do; the list of jobs kept growing and growing, and begun to include swallowing and early speech development.  I nearly hit the panic button, did they think I was super therapist!  I had a chat with Kuya Edward who put me right and said that the meeting was mostly about brain storming and the project will be refined over time.  While it may sound like they want me to do these things, this next month is mostly about getting to know the service, gaps and potential areas for development.  Phew!

I have also started language classes with Ate Erlynn, is has cased a few giggles! Put a Ba sound instead of a Ma sound and you go from wishing a good morning to cursing at them.  I have also found that learning the language has been a great in with staff members and the community, the smiles you get from the kids when trying out he language is very entertaining.  I am learning the local language "Bicol" as well as Tagalog the national language.  All languages are made up of the same vowels, and 2 letter sounds. AND each vowel has only ONE sound.  It is right up my ally, I can spell here!

A few interesting things:
Jag jeans (not sure about the authenticity!) $25 aus
Mango's and Banana's all year round are practically free as they are falling off trees everywhere
If you talk Australian most people cannot understand you, put in an American accent and they can
EVERY meal has meat and rice, and sugar, including breakfast and interesting contrast to muesli, but I am loving all the new foods and experiences.

So week two starts on Tuesday 11th as the national election is on the 10th. Here is hoping for a calm and peaceful election and not an early return to Australia!

In Country Orientation

Arrived in Manila at 8 pm at night, to be greeted by the ANGLES, the team of local team who coordinate the projects in the Philippines; and were they Angles, there was cold water bottle and everything waiting for us on arrival.  The flights were awesome, loved the A380, it was massive and full of features.

We stayed the night in Manila and met some of the volunteers already in country, this was an awesome exercise as it gave great insight into the cultural differences. Manila is very hot, and a very large city with extremes of wealth.  It was a real eye opener.

So we spent a week at a camp, meeting other volunteers, orientating to the country and culture and learning how to Karaoke! It was fully fun and awesome to see everyone develop their confidence with the mic.  To get us to practice the language and learn how to catch local transport, we had a mini amazing race within the town we were staying at.  We were given clues at each check point and further information about the country.  Very creative and interesting way to learn.  I also met my host organisation, and first impressions are that they are really busy and have a heap of programs and project to assist people with disabilities.  The level of professionalism was very impressive.  I am very motivated to get started.  From here I attend a session with the Aust Embassy and then fly out on project.  The official start is very close!

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

Well it has finally arrived! I am sitting at Melbourne airport waiting to board the MASSIVE A380 airbus to Singapore then a mad dash onto the next flight to Manila.  Packing and leaving has been a very intreresting expereince.  There were 2 key points that really made it feel like I was leaving; when I handed in my house key, it really felt like there was no return; and when I had to pack everything into by backpack.  I had it all lying out on the table and it took hours to get around to puting it into the bag (which only took a few minutes!)  Again this was a time that made it feel so real.
It has also been amazing to hear and see how people are so supportive of the project.  So many offered of support; financial, physical, emotional and spiritual.  It has just been amazing.

I feel as though I have everything and hopefully have the resourses required. Now I just have to get on that plane and within 12 hours I will be at Manila! Bring it on! I have a week in country training before starting the project.  After then I hope to blog more often as things happen. Till then.

New Fast Fact - Food

Ah the all important food!  The Filipino people are known for their food and hospitality, from what I have been told, you will frequently be offered food and have up to 5 meals a day plus snacks.  Fiesta are frequent, with an open house policy.  The town gets together with an open door policy. As you a celebrate down the street you just pop into your neighbours house which will have a vast spread of goodies on the table and eat with them, then move onto the next house until you get home!  See the fast facts for info on what specialties there may be.

Aussie Training Week Completed

I have just finished a full week of training in preparation for the project.  It was just awesome! A very professional, informative, motivating and full on week.   All volunteers on this intake were present. There are over 140 volunteers sent out each intake (4 intakes per year).  The buzz in the room was just awesome; just imagine over 140 young people (18-30) in one room all charged to volunteer overseas; the noise from all the conversations was constant and loud, the enthusiasm and energy contagious.

Information sessions went from 8.30-5.30 every day, tiring, but very informative and all useful info.  It was interesting to learn about the who's, what's and why's of aid programs.  Did you know that Australia spends only $3/person/week on aid?! That works out to be only a coffee a week! (approx $3 billion/year - 0.025% of GDP) The mission is to double this by 2015 and both sides of politics have promised to do so.

So I got to meet the other 6 participants going to the Philippines, they are awesome and also very excited about their projects.  There is a mix of people doing education, environment and business projects, I am the only one in the Philippines completing a health project.  There was lots of information about development, what it is and what is the best method for greatest impact etc.  There was great debates and discussions around these topics.  I found these most interesting and came to the realisation that this world of development is where I want to be.  So fascinating and inspirational.  This is a biased comment at the moment, because all the presenters of the program were very good and passionate about their topics, so much so, that I was nearly inspired to sign up for a Masters program on the spot!  We broke into country groups to discuss communication, cultural customs, concerns and general information.  We were lucky enough to have our country support person present, and he is awesome! Lots of concerns laid to rest.  We also broke into theme groups so I got to net work with all the health people.  About 4 OT's are going to be placed in this intake, all in very varied projects. The networking was greatly appreciated.

We had comprehensive briefings about medical, security, and counseling services; we have 24/7 support around the world looking after our security, mental and physical health.  The support is so awesome and extremely professional and well organised.

A information session at the Philippine Embassy was enlightening.  It appears that I will be eating a lot as the people are very sharing and everything is based around food.  The embassy staff were just beautiful and so keen for us to experience their beloved country.  From the information presented, the countryside looks just amazing and the people so caring.  I managed to have a great chat with the assistant ambassador who was particularly interested in Australian health and how this could be used in the Philippines.

I finished the week, extremely motivated and reassured that this is what I want to do, I just want to get there now.  So I have, 8 more working days (thanks to the Easter looong weekend - there is still so much to do!) one more round of vaccinations, lots of farewell dinners and parties and a house to pack all before the 22nd of April (departure day)

Contact with the Host Organisation

I finally made contact with the host organisation.  My manager will be Andrew, a Physical Therapist, and he appears to be very organised, eager and enthusiastic person.  So a few more deatils about the project:
* The project will be to design Occupational Therapy training packages for the Physical Therapists and community therapists (the equivalent of allied health assistants or technical officers in Australia) to implement with their client group.
* Simon (the NGO) has an early intervention program and a community rehab program attached to the hospital where I will be based.  There is also a community that Simon built that is for families with children with disability that I hope to become involved in.
* The client base will be mainly children with Cerebral Palsy.  Andrew would also like me to look into therapy modules for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder as this is being identified more.
* The definition of Disability at Simon also includes Stoke, Arthritis and they are not limited with age.  * Accommodation is still unknown as yet, but Andrew is working on it.

Initially, I found the idea that I was not going to be training OT's a little confronting.  Professional pride took over; OT skills are unique to OT and should only be implemented by OT's, what am I doing, am I doing a dis-service to my profession by participating in this project?!  On reflection,  I thought, what do you do when there are no OT's and the organisation wants and see's the benefits of OT, you have to start somewhere.  There is a lot of discussion about trans-disciplinary skills in disability and just maybe it is my job to support this interest in OT and show them how beneficial OT really is, this could be the start of an OT department, Bring it on!

I have a weeks training coming up, so will let you know how that goes...