Hanna Afaleq – CRP, Savar Placement Report
York St John University has a strong and lasting relationship with CRP, Savar in Bangladesh, through years of placement of Occupational Therapy students.
Placement hours
After understanding all of the departments within the organisation, I decided would examine them individually on their suitability and relevance for Psychology students. The departments are divided into
‘Yes’, ‘No’ and ‘Maybe’ based on my experience only. Generally those located in the ‘Yes’ column, are personally considered as suitable, relevant and enjoyable for a significant period of time, throughout a placement, whereas those within the ‘No’ column are personally considered inappropriate due to the large language barrier I experienced between myself and the staff. Those located in the ‘Maybe’ column are considered as relevant and interesting but are not the obvious choices for a significant period of time, but this opinion is likely to vary individually. The two tables below summarize the findings and reasons for these decisions.
Table 1 – Summary of all findings
Yes No Maybe
Marketing Paper technology
Publications
Inclusive mainstream school
Special needs school
Vocational Training, including
Electronics Repair, Tailoring and Shop
Management.
Social Welfare Unit
All Medical Departments including
Physiotherapy and Occupational
Therapy
Special Seating, Orthotics and
Prosthetics
Income generating activities including;
Metal Workshop, Wood Workshop,
Nursery, Cafeteria and Printing Press
University
Paediatrics
Speech and Language Therapy
Computer Application
Advocacy and Networking

Hanna Afaleq – CRP, Savar Placement Report
Table 2 – Detailed summary of findings
Department
Marketing
Department summary
One man department.
Responsible for marketing, selling and distribution of all products made from income generating activities.
Suitable for psychology placement
Yes
Job description
(if suitable)
Assisting marketing officer with any project he is currently working on.
Giving new ideas and advice on how to enhance the business.
Publications
Inclusive mainstream school
Specials needs school
Paper Technology
Paediatrics
Responsible for designing and writing all publications such as advertising brochures, leaflets and continuously writing a blog. This department also deals with patient records.
Primary school – ages up to 12 years old. School hours are from 8am unti 2pm. Subjects taught include Bangla, English,
Maths, Science, Social Science and Drawing.
Special needs classes in the morning and group therapy sessions from 2 until 4pm.
Recycling used paper from
CRP to create a variety of objects, such as occupational therapy toys and chairs.
Based largely around occupational therapy and physiotherapy. There are both in- and out-patients. Inpatients have both group and individual therapy with their mothers.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Maybe –
Personal
Choice
Maybe –
Personal
Choice
Activities would include providing new ideas and designs and proof reading.
Due to language barriers, it is advised that potential students are placed in English classes.
Potential students can interact and play with special needs students however language barriers are evident. Classes and group therapy are slightly chaotic so it is advised that resources are taken, for example colouring books and crayons.
Maximum of 3 people participating in the paper technology department at once. There is a language barrier however because the activity is practical this is not as much of an issue. It must be noted that conversation throughout the day will be minimal.
Potential students will only be able to play with the children. The majority of mothers and children are illiterate and therefore conversation is minimal. This department is very interesting however activities for potential psychology students are limited due to the different therapies taking place and language barriers.

Hanna Afaleq – CRP, Savar Placement Report
Department
Speech and
Language Therapy
Department summary
Working with patients of all ages, both in- and outpatients.
Advocacy and
Networking
Computer application
Other vocational training
Social Welfare
Unit
All medical departments including
Physiotherapy and Occupational
Therapy
Special Seating,
Orthotics and
Prosthetics
Income generating activities including
Metal Workshop,
Wood Workshop,
Nursery, Printing
Press and
Cafeteria.
The department that organises awareness campaigns and fundraises, in attempt to ensure inclusion of the disabled in society.
A three-month course, teaching how to use Microsoft
Word, Excel, PowerPoint &
Access efficiently.
These include electronics repair, tailoring, industrial sewing machine operating, shop management and sewing.
Assess patients family background and income and decides of specific medical plans based on this.
This includes are variety of areas including radiology and theatre.
The departments/workshops in which wheelchairs, orthotics and prosthetics and special seating are made.
The departments/workshops set up to generate more income for CRP. Together with the marketing department, all products are sold and profits are used to fund medical bills.
Suitable for psychology placement
Maybe –
Personal
Choice
Maybe –
Personal
Choice
Maybe –
Personal
Choice
No
No
Job description
(if suitable)
Potential students will mainly observe the therapy. Very interesting as basic and similar words are used for most patients so a student could understand and feel more involved.
Potential students would be involved in designing and promoting awareness campaigns alongside the staff. Some difficulties arise with the language barrier as staff speak little
English.
Potential students will mainly observe the class and possibly assist with any problems.
Language barrier is too high.
Majority of people involved in these, both staff and learners do not speak
English at all. Lack of resources also means that potential students could not get involved.
Language barrier – Staff speak very little/no English.
No
No
No
Very specific medical areas that generally require specific qualifications, such as doctors, nurses and therapists.
Language barrier – Staff speak very little/no English. Also, health and safety issues.
Language barrier – Staff speak very little/no English. Also, health and safety issues. The Printing Press is not located on CRP site.

Hanna Afaleq – CRP, Savar Placement Report
Department
University
Department summary
This university runs several courses such as Speech and
Language Therapy and
Occupational Therapy.
Suitable for psychology placement
No
Job description
(if suitable)
Difficult to help in the University as although many students speak
English, the degree course is very specific and therefore difficult to assist. There is currently no psychology degree at this university.
As mentioned earlier, all justifications are based entirely on my experience and are most definitely not obligatory. I advise that students visit all departments, even those that may not interest them, to ensure that the greatest experience is gained.
Out of placement hours
During the day, if you have a spare hour or two, there is always some sport therapy going on, which everyone is always happy for you to join in, otherwise there are shops on the same street, or Savar is just a
5 minute rickshaw ride away to visit the market stalls. On evenings, we generally enjoyed just chilling out and chatting to each other as a group. All volunteers were really friendly and it’s always interesting sharing each other’s stories. In Savar, there are places to eat local food, which is entirely personal choice – but do not go alone! We ate out a couple of nights but generally just ate at the accommodation.
Living conditions and cost
The accommodation at CRP is nice and basic. Singles or double beds are available although we did not get a choice. You are advised to sleep in the mosquito net provided, to avoid any obvious problems. There is a fridge, oven and hob, water purifier, sofas, chairs and TV, as well many books that have been left behind by previous volunteers. The electricity frequently goes off but you get used to that! Just a warning – the accommodation is literally next door to a mosque so prepare to be woken up at 5am  (I never got used to that!!). I was at CRP for 3 and a half weeks are spent about £100 but that includes presents for everyone back at home.
Language barriers
There is a large language barrier between yourself and the majority of the staff so I would suggest learning some common phrases before you go. Similar to when you go on holiday to Spain, communicating by hands will get you around! The more phrases and words you learn, the easier it will be for you.
If anyone has any questions or are slightly confused or worried about anything, please don’t hesitate to ring me on 07729027019 or e-mail me on hanna.alafaleq@yorksj.ac.uk

CRP is an incredible and admirable organisation, in which so many people regain the physical and mental confidence to continue with their normal lives. The impact the staff and the CRP community has on each person that walks through the gates, regardless of whether they are a patient, family member or volunteer, is a feeling that I will cherish and never forget. I am exceedingly grateful for being given the opportunity to be part of CRP, and cannot thank those that enabled me to go enough.