International Cooperation for volunteering

Our rehabilitation programme benefits from strong international collaborations that enhance both service quality and global learning. Through the Service Civique programme of the French Government, facilitated by OFI, we regularly host young French volunteers who contribute meaningfully to child-centered activities, therapeutic support, and community engagement. This year, Ms. Tessa Colin from France completed her volunteer placement with us, bringing energy, compassion, and fresh perspectives to our programme. 

We also maintain an academic partnership with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). As part of their global training requirement, final-year students from the Therapy Sciences Department undertake a three-month internship with us to gain practical exposure to rehabilitation systems in low- and middle-income settings. This year, four SUPSI students successfully completed their internship, contributing to therapy sessions, assessments, parental training, and field-based rehabilitation activities. 

These international collaborations promote a deep exchange of knowledge, clinical skills, and cultural understanding. They enrich our therapeutic environment, strengthen cross-cultural learning, and enhance our children’s social experiences. At the same time, the programme offers young professionals and volunteers a unique opportunity to understand disability inclusion in a resource-constrained context—creating long-term advocates for global rehabilitation and social justice.