VACANCY
Children's Community Based Rehab
Physiotherapist or Occ. Therapist
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Post requirements: Degree in PT or
OT, preferably 2 years post qualification experience.
Preferably some cross cultural
experience
Self funded, though some assistance
possible if needed.
Commitment: Min. 3 months preferable
Working
with a small team providing rehab to children and their
families in Freetown and surrounding communities. You will be
required to work independently as a qualified therapist, while a
national would be there to help with translation into Krio. You will
also teach them to work as your rehab assistant, with a
view of them practising independently themselves in the future. We also have some SL staff working as Rehab Therapists, who will need continued support.
The
team currently consists of a UK Occupational Therapist and 2 Sierra
Leonean nationals. This programme is still fairly new (pioneered
2007) and the next year looks to be just as exciting and
challenging as we continue to grow to be more sustainable while reaching more
needy children and their families. Our referrals were coming from
local partners, such as Mercy Ships, Family Homes Movement and SOS
Children's Home for the Physically Challenged. However many more are
coming just by us being in the communities and through word of mouth.
Treatment
practices need to be applicable to local living environments
and often involve working on dirt
floors and in crowded spaces. Creativity with local
resources is also key and we make postural equipment from our
own designs and partnering with a local carpenter. Common
conditions seen are Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Deformities, TB Spine,
Erb's Palsy, Talipies, Polio, amputee's and many unexplained neuro,
developmental and orthopaedic problems. We put major emphasis on
training the families / carers to handle, treat, position and
care for their child, as they will be the ones with them forever.
Often working outside the boundaries of one's own profession,
you will be need to be prepared to advise as best possible on
subjects you may not have much experience in. Therefore a broad
experience of any paediatric areas would be a useful attribute.
Working
in people's home environments
means we are in privileged positions to really get alongside
theses families. Listening, informal counselling and praying with
people commonly occurs. These families have very few other services
to go to for help. Cultural beliefs lead to the children being
thought of as demon possessed, and often just our presence in the
community draws a crowd – an excellent opportunity to teach to
many about the real causes of disability, the hope that can be
found in these precious children and the love that God has for them
and all of us.
We
will help to find you accommodation on the Western side of Freetown,
with other internationals, though constant power and water are not
guaranteed! Life in Sierra Leone is a new adventure everyday,
much flexibility and a light hearted character are essential. Work
days are often long and busy, but stress can be reduced on the
beautiful beaches at the weekend!
I
look forward to hearing from you if you are at all interested.
Verity
Boord
