Professional Volunteer Testimonials

(February 10th-March 19th, 2025)

Katrina Fackelmann - NCCO Rehab - OT

The clients and staff at ASSA were all very kind and friendly. It was lovely working with the clients on their various goals; they displayed perseverance, respect and a good sense of humor.

(Jan 21 - Feb 21, 2025)

Kimberley Li

I had an amazing experience at ASSA. I loved the opportunity to live and work alongside people with disabilities, as well as the local staff. Everyone was incredibly accommodating and welcoming, and they routinely checked in to ensure I was having a positive experience.

(Feb 10 to March 24, 2025 )

Lauren Saletsky - OT

Oh, what an experience this has been! I feel grateful to have gained such valuable experience and to have significantly developed my overall occupational therapy skills. Being immersed in a different culture, learning how to provide care with resources that differ from what I’m used to back home, and forming meaningful connections with both staff and clients have been truly rewarding. The resilience, kindness, smiles, generosity, and strong sense of camaraderie I’ve witnessed here have been beautiful to observe and have moved me countless times. I’m truly thankful for this unforgettable experience. Thank you, ASSA! 🙂

(May 12th – July 18th, 2025 )

Sunny Kim - SLP

My placement at Amar Seva Sangam was a meaningful and enriching experience, both professionally and personally. I had the opportunity to work with children in an early intervention setting, apply clinical knowledge in a real-world context, and engage in cross-cultural collaboration with dedicated staff and professionals. I contributed an AAC manual and delivered a training session for speech trainers, which allowed me to explore sustainable, practical solutions in a global health setting.

While there were unique challenges with communication and language barriers, these experiences also helped me grow in adaptability, advocacy, and independent problem-solving—skills that are essential in any clinical setting. The support from many of the staff, particularly the guesthouse maintenance team and kitchen staff, made the experience incredibly welcoming and comfortable.

Overall, this placement deepened my understanding of global health, inclusive education, and the value of interprofessional collaboration. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to ASSA’s mission and to have learned from such a unique and inspiring environment.

(Feb 10 to March 24, 2025 )

Aimee Kondor - OT

The project was of interest as its low cost to produce and patients do experience pressure sores commonly. The results of the project showcased that with resources available to ASSA, its possible to create cushions for patients who are not able to access more expensive cushions like ROHO, which sometimes don’t work for particular clients and need to be well maintained, which isn’t always possible with limited resources. The paper based technology cushion with the pressure mapping system that is available on site is a possible option to support certain patients

(Feb 10 to March 24, 2025)

Kirsten Anderson - OT

Completing my placement at ASSA challenged me to use my creativity to develop solutions and therapy interventions. The resources available are different from what we have access to in Canada and as such, it was a very good learning opportunity to come up with tools and strategies using different materials and resources. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at ASSA and hope that the work I did will continue to have an impact on the clients I worked with and the organization as a whole. The highlight of my time at ASSA was definitely centered around the people that I met, both staff and patients. The relationships that were built led to many conversations about culture, food, holidays, working styles, and so much more. Getting to share my experiences with local people and hearing about theirs resulted in new learnings that go both ways.

(Feb 10 to March 24, 2025 )

Stephanie King - OT

The highlight of my time spent at ASSA were the unique and lovely individuals who helped make it a welcoming environment. Being fully immersed in the culture had a profound impact on my learning experience and gifted me with a new lens I will carry forward into my future practice as an occupational therapist.

(Feb 10 to March 24, 2025)

Morgan Lord - OT

I enjoyed my time spent at ASSA. I was able to meet some incredible people along my journey that I will not forget. Being on placement in India provided many different learning opportunities that have grown my toolbox as a future practitioner.

(May 25 to June 12, 2024)

Tracey Norman-Rice

This is my second trip to ASSA as a supervisor for speech-language pathology students. The speech-language therapist and speech trainers have been very welcoming and demonstrate an eagerness to learn. The speech trainers continue to stive for excellence by continuing to further their knowledge and understanding of the complexity of language delays and disorders. They are learning from the students as the students learn from them. This is a wonderful opportunity to transfer skills.

(October 28th – December 19th, 2024 )

Florence Lafleur-Gagnon - PT (Sherbrooke University)

My placement at ASSA has been an incredibly enriching and transformative experience, both professionally and personally. Working with a diverse neurological patient population in a resource-limited setting challenged me to think creatively and adapt my clinical skills to meet the unique needs of the patients. I gained valuable insights into neuro-rehabilitation, particularly in understanding how cultural and socioeconomic factors influence patient care and recovery.

On a personal level, my time at ASSA broadened my perspective on global healthcare and reinforced the importance of empathy, adaptability, and cultural humility in physiotherapy practice. It was an opportunity to grow not only as a clinician but also as an individual committed to making meaningful contributions to the community I serve.

(September 3rd, 2024 – October 25th, 2024 )

Amanda Cinelli-Faia - OT (Mcgill University)

I spent 2 months at ASSA as an occupational therapy student in my final clinical placement. The placement was such an enriching and unique experience and allowed me to learn a lot and grow as a future clinician. I developed a deeper understanding of how culture, community, and resource availability can influence therapeutic approaches and outcomes, which has expanded my perspective on client-centered care. Overall, this placement helped me refine my clinical skills and taught me the importance of cultural understanding, and creative problem-solving in practice.

(September 3rd, 2024 – October 25th, 2024 )

Véga Leclerc - OT (Mcgill University)

My placement at Amar Seva Sangam was a great learning experience. I gained practical skills and a better understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities. Learning about this new culture will be valuable for my future practice, enhancing my ability to work effectively in diverse environments.

(October 28th – December 19th, 2024)

Krissy Langlois - PT (Sherbrooke University)

My placement at Amar Seva Sangam (ASSA) as a physiotherapy intern from Canada has been a transformative learning experience. Immersed in a unique healthcare environment, I adapted my skills to address diverse challenges, such as language barriers and limited resources, while providing physiotherapy care. Collaborating with the ASSA team deepened my understanding of a community-centered approach to rehabilitation. This experience not only enriched my clinical expertise but also fostered personal growth, adaptability, and a profound appreciation for the resilience of the individuals and communities.

(July 17 to Aug 25, 2023)

Nicole Kaufman - PT (University of Toronto)

A wonderful experience as an intern at ASSA! A memorable two-month journey with a staff dedicated to patient care and accommodations that ensure patients can undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation process.

(Oct 16 to Nov 17, 2023)

Stephanie Cairns - PT (Dalhousie University)

My experience at ASSA was extremely positive. I had hoped to go on this placement since accepting my offer to Dalhousie, and this placement was all I hoped it would be. I enjoyed learning from Indian and Canadian trained staff and students, and felt this enhanced my learning in ways a domestic placement couldn’t. Everyone on site was incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I felt encouraged to challenge myself. Seeing my treatment programs helping patients was incredibly rewarding, and I enjoyed the variety ASSA offered, as I was able to split my time between pediatrics/early intervention and spinal cord injury.

(Oct 16 to Nov 17, 2023)

Devyn Manderscheid - PT (Dalhousie University)

(March 27 to May 9, 2023)

Amanda Adele Grant A - OT (University of Toronto)

My time at ASSA was exceptional to say the least. The amount of learning that takes place and opportunities offered at the ASSA campus is incredible and enables students to make the most of their time and grow personally and professionally. ASSA provides the opportunity to work with a variety of populations, see many diverse presentations of conditions and work alongside an incredible team of healthcare professionals and fellow students while also having access to amazing resources such as the caliper. There is incredible support from staff and management, and I can truly say I felt valued, embraced, welcomed, and respected every minute of every day. The language and cultural differences promote growth and enhancement of many skills that will serve students well in future placements, careers, and as citizens of the world. The campus is an amazing space to live, learn, and work and provides the opportunity to engage with clients in such a different way than back home. It is amazing to get to interact with your clients outside therapy times, which fosters a unique type of rapport, comradery, and sense of community among client and staff. I can report with complete honesty that my time at ASSA was both an intellectually stimulating as well as enjoyable and life changing experience, and anyone who walks through the ASSA gate is blessed to be there.

(March 27 to May 9, 2023)

Bridget Catherine Deschenes - OT (University of Toronto)

(May 22 - June 30, 2023)

Zak Bannatyne (Manitoba University - PT)

(May 22 - June 30, 2023)

Logan Early (Manitoba University - PT)

My time at Amar Seva Sangram was so special. The staff, the patients, and the animals that roam the campus make ASSA what it is. I’m so very grateful to have had a clinical placement in this special setting.

(May 14 - June 30, 2023)

Alisha Alger (Western University - OT)

My favorite parts of my placement at Amar Seva Sangam were the living experience and the overall environment, culture and people. I thoroughly enjoyed living in a more communal way, sharing meals and accommodation with other students. I loved seeing how ASSA functions holistically and is interconnected; for example, how the capliur and tailoring units on site make items needed for therapy; how there is connection to nature including the animals, like cows and goats we see each day, and the many plants we walk by, the beautiful sunny days and mountain views

All the staff have been friendly, and it has been a pleasure to get to know my clients over the as 6 weeks. Although there has been difficulties providing therapy without speaking the language, I feel this has been a useful skill to develop and practice. I have appreciated the opportunity to be self directed and choose my own learning goals. I think the placement has been a huge highlight and if I had the chance to stay longer, I would.

(May 22 - June 30, 2023)

Mark Kowalski (Manitoba University - PT)

Had the opportunity to work with spinal cord injury patients and stroke patients. Was given an appropriate amount of direct supervision and independence for my skill level. Saw the differences in physiotherapy in a different country. Had the opportunity to learn about a new culture, languages, and the specific challenges/barrier that exist here. Reasonable work life balance that included several outings to see and experience the country.

(September 3 – October 26, 2022)

Maxymme Bégin (McGill Universtiy - PT)

Doing my clinical internship at ASSA gave me the opportunity to learn about physiotherapy practices in rural India while being culturally immersed in a community that preaches collaboration and giving. It was enriching to be welcomed by such a generous community and work alongside the other members of the inter professional team to provide the best care possible. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to come all the way from Canada to India and I hope to inspire other students and volunteers to get involved with ASSA and Handi-Care.

(September 3 – October 26, 2022)

Noémie Tito (McGill Universtiy - PT)

As I was boarding the plane to get to India for my placement at ASSA, I was sure about one thing: I had no idea what to expect. Having today successfully completed my last clinical placement there, I can say without the shadow of a doubt that it was one of the best experiences I have had so far. The community at ASSA is so welcoming that I felt at home even if there were so many cultural elements we had to adapt to. Clinically, I saw many conditions I have never had the opportunity to see before and had a great deal of freedom with my caseload and interventions. It was so rewarding to see the improvements my patients had from the beginning of my stay to the end. Beyond our typical clinical duties, we also had the opportunity to go on a fieldtrip to explore how village-based rehabilitation worked and had a session about how the health care system worked in India which was very informative. Thank you everyone at ASSA for all the special memories!

(Nov 5 to Dec 5, 2023)

Faith Gallant

I have very much appreciated all the staff at ASSA welcoming me to your program. Everyone greeted me with warmth and kindness and I was well oriented to ASSA. I was able to collaborate with therapists easily and felt that my input was well valued. I would recommend ASSA to my fellow therapists.

(Aug 31, 2023 – Dec 11, 2023)

Sabrina Caniglia

My work at ASSA has been extremely enlightening from a professional perspective. The variety of pediatric and neurologic conditions I have been exposed to during my time here and the amount of trust that was placed upon me by the ASSA staff has greatly helped me develop and grow as a young therapist. Through my interprofessional exchanges with the therapist here I have gained an immense amount of knowledge both personally and professionally. My interactions with all of my patients as well as their families were extremely wholesome. The amount of acknowledgement that I have received for my work as well as patient’s eagerness to work with me during multiple hours of therapy was uncanny. Every single person I met at ASSA has been a pleasure to interact with.