WFOT 2010 GRANTS PROGRAMME
The Congress Committee received many requests for funding from OTs who, because of financial reasons, had difficulty in attending Congress 2010. Through the generosity of a range of groups, associations and individuals, who contributed funds for Grants. WFOT has been able to assist congress
delegates who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend Congress 2010.
We would like to acknowledge the generosity of many of our participants and organizations from around the world who have donated funds towards the WFOT Grants Programme, and helped 15 of our colleagues from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, India and Bangladesh to join us here in Santiago!
Feedback from Grant Participants
Prakash Kumar
It was around 11 O'clock in the morning when I arrived at Santiago Airport, unknown city and the different language, created a little hesitation. Anyway I did my formalities and finally reached the conference venue.
First thing what I got their was my card then the warm welcome by Denise Broeren. Then after the inaugural speech by different scholar and meeting with other associates, I realized the attachment here which was greater than the bonding of any language and region.
As I am writing this piece, the conference is almost done and at this moment I describe this event as the best experience of my life at the personal as well as professional front. … read morePrakash Kumar
It was around 11 O'clock in the morning when I arrived at Santiago Airport, unknown city and the different language, created a little hesitation. Anyway I did my formalities and finally reached the conference venue.
First thing what I got their was my card then the warm welcome by Denise Broeren. Then after the inaugural speech by different scholar and meeting with other associates, I realized the attachment here which was greater than the bonding of any language and region.
As I am writing this piece, the conference is almost done and at this moment I describe this event as the best experience of my life at the personal as well as professional front.
What else could be more beautiful to see that hundreds of people are coming together to generate better health from entirely different region and culture. It was not possible for me to get this exp by any other means.
In terms of presentation one can easily mesmerized by its wide canvas. From the history of occupational science to the problem of therapist working in refugee camp as well as in IT sector.
I have already attended different workshop which is really new experiences by me. The workshop "Occupational therapy without border" organized by Frank Kronenberg was amazing totally inspiration for me and everyone to have the opportunity to share their idea.
Another one thing that surprised me of this conference was its mission to involve youth at the very primary level. It started with various programs by congress and then generating curiosity among them by face book like social networking sites.
This platform not only provided me strength and motivation to move ahead in this field but also for my entire professional friend working in India will get a positive and fresh approach towards the field especially about its various applications in social reform.
On last day the speech given by Sandra Galheigo is knowledgeable to everyone. I would also like to thanks E Sharon brintell, WFOT president, Alejandro Guajardo President of Chile occupational therapy association, Paola Mendez Vice-President of Chile team, Enrique Henny, International Co-Presisdent,Executive deirector, WFOT.
And in the last but not least I would like to congrats all the people of congress committee and the management team for such a wonderful arrangement of this conference.
Thanks and Regards
Prakash Kumar
Occuaptional Therapist
M.O.Th( Orthopedics)
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi,INDIA
Md. Aminul Hoque Chowdhoury
Dear Cristiance Mentrup,
This is Md. Aminul Hoque Chowdhoury, an occupational therapist from Bangladesh who presented a paper at WFOT Congress 2010 in Santiago, Chile. I am ever grateful to you for funding me to attend at the congress. It was an exciting experience for me as well as for my colleagues. It is one of the most learning experiences of my life. I have learnt many things about diversity of occupational therapy practices around the world from the congress. I am sharing those experiences with my colleagues as well as with the upcoming students. They are being excited to hear from me and they are also being inspired to do more research for presenting at next congress. … read moreMd. Aminul Hoque Chowdhoury
Dear Cristiance Mentrup,
This is Md. Aminul Hoque Chowdhoury, an occupational therapist from Bangladesh who presented a paper at WFOT Congress 2010 in Santiago, Chile. I am ever grateful to you for funding me to attend at the congress. It was an exciting experience for me as well as for my colleagues. It is one of the most learning experiences of my life. I have learnt many things about diversity of occupational therapy practices around the world from the congress. I am sharing those experiences with my colleagues as well as with the upcoming students. They are being excited to hear from me and they are also being inspired to do more research for presenting at next congress. Hope, many more abstract will be submitted for next WFOT congress. This type opportunities are badly required establishing our profession in my country. There are only 84 occupational therapists practicing in my country and there is only 1 institute running occupation course, whereas our population is more than 150 millions. If these types of helps from you are continued, people will be interested to join in Occupational Therapy and the OT professionals and students will engage in professional development and promotional activities more. For examples, I have already decided to do another study on, "Practicing Occupational Therapy in Traditional Muslims Communities" as I have learnt if I come forward, funding is available to help me. I have decided to do this study to make bridge between the beliefs, values and attitudes of traditional Muslims and the philosophy of Occupational Therapy. Hope you will extend your hands more to promote and develop our profession in this country.
My grateful thanks from the depth of my heart are to you again.
Regards
Md. Aminul Hoque Chowdhoury
Clinical Occupational Therapist and
Member of the executive committee of Bangladesh Occupational Therapist Association (BOTA)
