Speech by Ms Margaret Thevarakom, SIF Deputy Director for International Volunteerism, at the Closing Ceremony of SVO Specialist Team (Physiotherapy Pedagogy) Project in Cambodia

Your Excellency Mr Eng Huot,
Cambodia’s Secretary of State for Health

Dr Huy Sovath,
Director of the Technical School for Medical Care in Cambodia

Dr Celia Tan,
Team leader of the Singapore Volunteers Overseas Specialist Team (Physiotherapy Pedagogy) Project and Director of the Singapore General Hospital-Postgraduate Allied Health Institute

Mr Ung Sambath,
President of the Cambodian Physical Therapy Association

Distinguished guests,

It gives me great honour and pleasure to represent the Singapore International Foundation to be with you here today for the closing ceremony of the Singapore Volunteers Overseas Specialist Team (Physiotherapy Pedagogy) Project, the final phase of a four-year long physiotherapy training programme.

The Singapore International Foundation -- or SIF, for short -- is a non-profit organisation that aims to make friends for a better world. Our flagship Singapore Volunteers Overseas, or SVO, programme captures the essence of our vision. It provides opportunities for passionate Singaporeans to take up the call of volunteering overseas, which enables them to develop an appreciation of different cultures and peoples, and build friendships between nations.

Since 2005, Dr Celia Tan has led a group of dedicated Singapore physiotherapists to Cambodia, united by a common goal of enhancing the knowledge and skills of their local counterparts. Thanks to their efforts and the continued support from our partners and various NGOs here in Cambodia, a total of 48 Cambodian physiotherapists have successfully received the necessary training to gain the Advanced Certificate in Physiotherapy Practice.

Out of these 48 graduates, 11 have gone on to fulfill the requirements for the Advanced Diploma in Physiotherapy, which qualifies them to conduct physiotherapy training for their fellow practitioners. Indeed, from March last year, under the SVO Specialist Team (Physiotherapy Pedagogy) Project, these 11 physiotherapists took the lead in training nine Cambodian physiotherapists for the Advanced Certificate in Physiotherapy Practice, while the Singapore volunteers took on a mentorship role instead.

Today, at the successful conclusion of this project, the efforts of these 11 physiotherapists culminate with their nine students graduating with the Advanced Certificate in Physiotherapy Practice.

To all the Cambodian participants who have been a part of this learning journey — I extend to you my heartfelt congratulations at this wonderful achievement, which I believe, could only have been possible because of your hard work and commitment. I hope that the training you have received will spur you on towards higher learning and greater excellence in your chosen profession.

Our Singapore volunteers too must feel heartened to see their trainees become trainers. Truly, they can be proud of the excellent work they have done and the wonderful physiotherapy teachers they have helped to groom.

And in giving of their time, energy and expertise, I believe that our volunteers are also beneficiaries of this experience. Many of them have been deeply impressed by the learning spirit of the Cambodian trainees and the dedication to the patients they serve. They have also learnt greater adaptability and broadened their professional horizons, after their exposure to the field of physiotherapy in a different country. We look forward to continued correspondence between the Cambodian physiotherapists and Singapore volunteers, even after the end of this project, so that the knowledge sharing process can be kept going for the benefit of both parties.

At this point in time, please allow me to express our gratitude to the Cambodian Health Ministry and to our project partners, the Singapore General Hospital-Postgraduate Allied Health Institute and the Cambodian Physical Therapy Association. Their support for and commitment to this project has been instrumental in its success.

Much appreciation also goes to Dr Celia Tan and her team of volunteers — truly, they are the life force behind this project, with their tireless efforts in pursuing the fulfillment of its objectives.

Last but not least, I would like to thank all our Cambodian friends and partners for the kind hospitality extended towards the Singapore volunteers and to all the SIF staff who have been involved in the management of this project. Through our partnership and co-operation, bonds of friendship have been forged between the peoples of Singapore and Cambodia, relationships which I hope will continue to flourish, even after today.

I wish you all a wonderful day ahead as you enjoy the celebrations. Thank you!