Our Members

All members are volunteers, all funds are donated, all work if guided by our Global Compact framework for human rights, labour standards, environment, and anti-corruption. One of our Global Compact goals is to celebrate and increase the cultural and linguistic diversity of our network. So recently we've been asking people to volunteer what culture/s and language/s they identify with. Members have provided email contacts and an introduction to foster networking. Enjoy meeting our members below :)

Cultures our members identify with

^{Thanks to NordicFactory for the flag icons :)}

Languages our members speak: English, Spanish, German, Aafrikaans, Greek, Cantonese

OCEANIA

Jenessa Brown "The world is a wondrous place and I believe our lives are a gift from God - we're all equal in His sight. At the moment, I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with newly-arrived refugees, asylum seekers and migrants at a settlement school in Brisbane. Last year, I spent some time living and working with Karen refugees on the Thai/Burma border." refugeestickinsect@gmail.com

Jeanette Isaacs-Young "I feel so much 'part' of OOFRAS that it hadn't occurred to me that I was not an actual member until I checked the website again today while sharing with a friend. I was there on the day it was conceived, so feel a bit fondly sentimental and grandmotherly towards the flourishing global entity and action." jeanette@lifestreamassociates.com.au

Michelle Gaymer "I am passionate about working with members of the international community on issues of social justice and equity. Part of my undergraduate studies was in international development and I have volunteered both in Thailand and Nepal in social development projects. I am interested in exploring more the occupational therapist's role in working with refugees and asylum seekers in Australia and internationally. I am completing my major community project this year in my final year of OT study working with community integration of Tamil refugee women in Sydney, Australia. I look forward to being involved with and learning more about OOFRAS." shellgaymer@hotmail.com

Jo McGregor "I am an OT/Community Development officer working for STARTTS (Service for the treatment and rehabilitation of torture and trauma survivors). I recently begun my role here in February 2013. My experience is OT community integration. I am keen to connect with other OT's within this field. My base office is in Newcastle, NSW and am the only OT in STARTTS beside another OT who is a music therapist. I look forward to chatting with you all." jo.mcgregor@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Moses Otto "My parents are from South Sudan. I was born in Kenya where my parents escaped the civil war in my country. I am naturialised Australian.

I completed a graduate entry Masters of occupational therapy and I am now working for CRS Australia." moses.otto@crsaustralia.gov.au

Laura Irvine-Brown "I'm an Occupational Therapist currently working in a hospital system and undertaking a Certificate IV in Primary Health Care: Multicultural to qualify me as a Multicultural Health Worker. While I value the experience working in a hospital has provided me, I am passionate about promoting community and social engagement and health promotion and chronic disease prevention and management and am eager to move my career in this direction. I also do volunteer work with an Afghan refugee family once a week to tutor in English and promote community integration." laura.irvinebrown@uqconnect.edu.au

Shannon Chan "My name is Shannon Chan and I am currently working in aged services in a community setting. My passion for working with asylum seekers and refugees came when I spent approximately 12-18 months volunteering as caseworker for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre based in Melbourne. I was truly touched by the organisation and amazed by the resilience of the people I met. However, I was constantly disappointed by the lack of services available and public awareness of the issues faced for people who have been displaced. I have applied for postgraduate studies - Master of Public Health and International Development to understand this area further, gain practical skills in project development and possibly contribute to research. I am very interested in exploring how occupational therapists and the role of "occupation" can improve the quality of life of people seeking asylum and displaced communities." shannon.shihwen@gmail.com

Brock Cook "Occupational Therapist working in an Acute Mental Health Unit in Townsville, QLD. Developing a very keen interest in Occupational Science and how these principles are coming to affect an displaced population." brock.cook@me.com

Bradley Williams "I am a new graduate OT living in South Australia who is passionate about human rights, occupational justice and cultural diversity. I see OOFRAS as such a great opportunity to, engage in and contribute to, an area I have developed a keen interest in. I am very excited to get involved and learn from others within OOFRAS!" bradley.williams89@gmail.com

Sameera Suleman has joined us too! Welcome! sameera.suleman@gmail.com

Tara Watts "I am passionate about refugee rights and social inclusion. I have been involved with a refugee tutoring program working with a Sudanese family for the past three years and in an OT role assisted with a Karen family play group. I look forward to being a part of OOFRAS as they encourage and raise awareness about the role occupational therapists can play working with refugees and asylum seekers. Together we can work towards a more inclusive society." tara.watts@hotmail.com

Rachel Hawkins "I am an OT based on Queensland. I am a mum of two children and feel blessed every day for the fact that we have food and shelter and my children can easily attain an education. If I can help one other person by supporting OOFRAS then I will feel happy." rachel.hawkins@qcomp.com.au

Anna Cai "I attended one of Clarissa's lectures and she has motivated me to connect with OOFRAS and see where it'll lead me!" annacai@hotmail.com

Lara Moes "I have been an OT for 11 years and am so grateful to work in a profession that values enabling persons to live to their full capacity - acknowledging and working with the many things that influence that. I believe that occupational therapy has much to offer practically and politically to the refugee and asylum seeker population in the world, and OOFRAS is doing great work towards this. Thanks!" lara@growonot.com.au

Julia Cham has joined us as well, "welcome"! jaffa.the.isf@gmail.com

Sarah Jamison "Hello! I am an occupational therapist currently working for Melbourne city mission early childhood intervention program - here my caseload consists of many refugee/migrants families who are facing not only the impact of re settling in a new country, but also having to care for their child with a disability. My passion is in settlement and how OT's as a profession can really nurture this population." sjamison@mcm.org.au

Diane Reynoldson "When the Pontville detention centre opened in Tasmania, I was fortunate enough to be able to run an OT Art group with the Afgan and Iranian men - an experience that on many levels reinforced views and enlarged my thinking. My church has een the spiritual home for many African refugees who have settled in Hobart and just recently I spent some time in Northern Uganda and South Sudan in a voluntary capacity working to assist with the rehabilitation of "war brides" and child soldiers. My eyes are open now and I see that OT has such a role to play in assisting people to settle in their new homes and to provide culturally sensitive rehabilitation." direynoldson@gmail.com

Marian Myers-Braun "I'm an OT currently working in paediatrics, with a strong interest in the impact of the refugee and migrant experience on children. I have some contact with refugee groups through my work, and hope to develop my knowledge and skills in this area into the future." mmyersbraun@gmail.com

Dayle Pasztor "I am passionate about equal human rights and opportunities to engage in meaningful occupations. Throughout my travels across South East Asia I have witnessed poverty and the impact of war on individuals and communities and can only imagine the horrible conditions some people are living in. For a person to be unable to live in their own home or country, flee elsewhere in hope of a better life, only to be kept in detention and experience occupational deprivation, is heartbreaking. I would like to get involved in enabling refugees and asylum seekers to receive the better life they hope for, and I believe OOFRAS is as good a place as any to start." daylepasztor@gmail.com

Robert Periera says "Hi all. My name is Rob and I am a passionate occupational therapist and researcher interested in all matters of inclusion, enabling participation and advocacy. I believe that OOFRAS offers voice to the voiceless and brings to light real occupational issues affecting real people which is quite rare. I applaud OOFRAS's mission and the dedication of its 'Trailblazers' who have been instrumental in inspiring people to become interested in the occupational rights, needs, opportunities and possibilities of refugees, asylum seekers and other oppressed and marginalised groups." rbpereira_ot@hotmail.com

Nicole Preston has been working as an OT for the past 8 years in Australia, Asia and the UK in a variety of fields including aged care, paediatrics and disability. It was whilst spending a year living and working in Bangladesh, that I learnt first hand the challenges associated with adapting to new and different cultures. This experience also gave me a broader perspective of ‘environment’ and showed me the role that a society has in influencing our ability to participate in activities, occupations, and engage in communities. Currently I am completing my Masters in Human Rights. In the future I hope to combine my OT and Human Rights knowledge to support people to actively engage in their communities. I am looking forward to taking an active role within OOFRAS over the next few months. :)nicole_preston80@hotmail.com

Sally Datson has been working as an OT in mental health for 6 years.  I became interested in occupational issues for refugees after doing a project in my final year of university.  This involved liaising with refugees from various communities in Brisbane and assessing their occupational needs and how the OT role could be utilised in their settlement in a new country.  Since this time, I have been a member of OOFRAS and involved in various projects also aimed at building the capacity of our profession to respond to the occupational needs of refugees.  I have also had the opportunity to be involved in a community development project with the Congolese community in Brisbane to reduce poverty in their community by looking at alternatives to remittance.  sally@oofras.com

Sarah Perkes I would like to work with Indigenous Australians, refugees, or possibly overseas in a developing country. I would also love to get involved in research at some stage. Naturally OOFRAS appealed to me. I first heard about OOFRAS when I attended the OT mental health conference earlier this year and thought the concept was brilliant. I think OTs are well placed to support refugees and asylum seekers in establishing their lives here in Australia. As a profession, we have a unique platform to advocate for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers including speedy processing in a community based setting. OOFRAS is a great concept and a much needed initiative, well done :) I hope to get more involved the future.sarah_perkes@yahoo.com.au

Bronwyn Tanner is keen to improve the quality of OT practice with refugees as a lecturer at James Cook University, Qld AUSTRALIA. She has also used her fieldwork co-ordinator role to link placements into a settlement service so more refugees can access OT- watch this space! Thank you Bronwyn for sharing senario based learning info to guide our case studies! (anyone keen to be a part of this type of project - talk to us!) Bronwyn.Tanner@jcu.edu.au

Susan Cloete has a long standing interest with refugee practice and often travels to Zimbabwe. She participated in a refugee settlement project whilst at University of Queensland and graduated to work in mental health. Today she has an active role with local OOFRAS initiatives like the workshop with Kerry Thomas and is the first Vice Africa LINK representing OOFRAS Inc. suziecloete@hotmail.com   

Beau Adriel has discovered a number of talents whilst joining OOFRAS Inc ventures such as building relationships with business donors, auctioning off prizes, and even making bulk toffee apples for sale. He's also been a founding member of AusCongo Network, a community development project and process in Brisbane. Aside from ongoing nerd-support for Clarissa, he pops into Skype calls to say "hi" because he misses the OOFRAS Inc gals otherwise!trojanknight@iinet.net.au

Linda Rylands is an occupational therapist with over 5 years experience in mental health and 4 years experience exploring the OT role in facilitating occupational transitions for migrants and refugees. After travelling extensively and having first hand experience of the ‘fish out of water’ experience of being an ‘outsider’ in a new country, Linda returned home in 2006 curious about the occupational experience of migrants and refugees settling in Australia.

Linda joined the OOFRAS dialogue, which progressed to gaining a role working at a lead settlement service for refugees in Brisbane. As well as effectively implementing the OT perspective in a case management role, she also supervised several occupational therapy student projects and committed to build the profile of OT role within this specialty area. Linda has been humbled by the stories and journeys that she has been privileged to share with individuals and families settling in Australia. She has served as OOFRAS secretary and is currently passionate to explore the fusion of anthropology and OT frameworks in study and practice. linda@oofras.com

Belinda Locklier has recently graduated from occupational therapy but developed a keen interest in working with occupationally deprived populations during her studies.  Travels through Africa and South East Asia consolidated this interest and when she discovered OOFRAS' existence, quickly joined the team.  Belinda has also completed a degree in Human Movement Science and has spent the last 15 years working in the health and fitness industry. Currently she works in mental health with homeless populations and is keen to complete further study in international development and research into the use of exercise and sport as occupational interventions post natural disaster.  "The resources provided by OOFRAS assist me in maintaining focused on my long term goals and provide motivation and inspiration to achieve these." b_locklier@hotmail.com

Aakifah Suleman graduated from University of Queensland in 2009. Following an innovative and successful student project which explored the OT role teaching public transport skills to newly arrived refugee families, Aakifah's new graduate role was to coordinate a brand new Settlement Life Skills program in a Brisbane refugee settlement service. Aakifah has been responsible for designing and establishing the program by incorporating both the unique occupational perspective of settlement life skills and drawing on the extensive expertise in ‘refugee settlement’ of her culturally and professionally diverse team. In 2010 she joined the board of directors of Occupational Opportunities for Refugees and Asylum Seekers Inc. (OOFRAS Inc.) and is actively working to uphold the occupational rights of individuals and families along the refugee journey. a.suleman01@gmail.com

Lluisa Murray While I believe this country already holds an unsustainable population, I'm unhappy with the government's handling of people seeking asylum in Australia. OOFRAS Inc offers the opportunity to link up with communities that would otherwise be inaccessible to most residents of Australia. I'd like to offer my time, meet new people and help to build a stronger Australian community. Lluisa stepped up the the board till the 2011 AGM to represent students & early career OTs. On top of this she raised awareness, funds, and a bit of activist confidence running a university cake stall! lluisa.murray@gmail.com

Gerald Onsando, Australia. I am currently working on my PhD project short-titled ‘Perspective transformation for Australia’s adult Humanitarian Program immigrants’ at Griffith University, Brisbane. For over 9 years, I have been engaging with individuals, families, and communities from refugee backgrounds in different capacities through my personal life, study and work. I believe, as OOFRAS does, that individuals and communities from refugee backgrounds can fully participate and contribute to the Australian society, if provided appropriate opportunities. One of my key objectives is to explore ways which these new Australians can attain better educational, occupational, and social resettlement outcomes. Please, feel free to contact me for any comments, suggestions, or discussion.gcaon@hotmail.com

Lucy Ledger, Australia. I'm an OT currently working in the remote Northern Territory, Australia in Indigenous communities. I've seen the damage that occupational deprivation does in these communities and so am passionate about providing meaningful occupational opportunities for occupationally deprived populations - this has led to my support of OOFRAS and its objectives.lucy_ledger@hotmail.com

Leah Clarke, Australia. "I am an OT who has a strong interest in this area and wish to be part of such a positive organisation." We're delighted to have you on board, what an example joining and buying a Tshirt to wear it with pride!!!  clarke.leah@gmail.com

Amanda Tuckerman, Australia. I have a strong interest in the formation of Australia as a migrant country. I am also passionate about human rights. At the end of this year I will be finishing my Graduate Entry of Occupational Therapy Studies with a dream job of working with refugees. This is the best place to start. Great work! a_tuckerman@hotmail.com

EUROPE

Theo Bogeas, Greece. I currently work in the day centre for the mental health for immigrants "Babel", located in a poor neighbourhood in the centre of Athens, Greece. The programme that I'm involved has as target population children and adolescents 10-16 yrs. My wish is to explore the role of OT and implement the values of our profession with respect to people. theobogeas@yahoo.gr

Gemma Mccallum has recently attended the UK Refugee Council conference "Working Together to Protect Refugees" and has a knack for discovering wonderful info to share with other UK OTs on the UK page or via Skype connections. Gemma recently sent in an encouraging quote "The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty' (Winston Churchill) and remarked this vein ran through the conference and all the networking. She's about to graduate and potentially do volunteer work in Fiji and meet OOFRAS Inc members in Australia!i7863160@bournemouth.ac.uk

Naomi Jemmett I'm based in the UK and have worked with refugees for 7 years in both volunteer and paid roles. Love to explore more OT roles, and have done a lot of befriending, mentoring, teaching English, teaching citizenship.naomi.jemmett@ntlworld.com

Helen Claire Smith is doing a PhD on the Meaning of Occupation for People Seeking Asylum in the UK, and is keen to network in Middlesbrough H.C.Smith@tees.ac.uk

ASIA

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AMERICAS 

Erick Leon, United States. "My name is Erick Leon. I am a first year OT practioner from NYC currently working in a school district in Houston, Texas serving a minority population. One of my goals is to eventually teach and do research at the university level with the Latino population, especially Mexican-Americans, in order to guide policy making and improve their overall well being through an occupational justice lens. In the end, all of society benefits. In regards to OOFRAS, I intend to explore, expand and apply the knowledge learned to refugee and non-refugee populations because everyone deserves to lead occupationally meaningful and purposeful lives filled with occupational opportunities. I am really excited to be a part of OOFRAS because I have been yearning for an organization that truly wants to make a change through networking and actions. I am pretty excited for this!" erick.leon.otr@gmail.com

Sherry Watson, United States. "I have worked as an OT since 1980. The first 18 years were primarily in US private sector mental health services and the last 14 in physical rehabilitation with the US Veterans Affairs.  I have travelled to 22 countries (some more than once), providing aid in renovating buildings for community gathering places and teaching skills for occupations to children and women in 3 of the countries.  I have wanted to respond to catastrophic natural disasters in the past but was not sure how to participate as an OT.  I discovered this organization through a class for my post-professional master's degree in OT and I am excited that there is this organization specifically for OTs to guide me in that goal." sherry.watson@juno.com

Caryn Brandel, Canada. I am a first year OT student at Towson University. She says, "I love that occupational therapy is a medical profession based on helping people live meaningful lives rather than just fixing injured limbs. My interest in working with refugees began when I took a genocide and holocaust course in high school, which introduced me to the plight of refugees leaving a hostile homeland to start over in a strange new country.  I would love to help to create a balance between preserving refugees' cultures while incorporating them into the culture of their new country.  I hope to work alongside the International Rescue Committee in Baltimore to address the occupational needs of local refugees."cbrand6@students.towson.edu

Samantha Lowe, Canada. I have an honors undergraduate degree in International Development, and wrote my thesis on the cyclical nature of Palestinian nationalism and gender. I wish to combine my OT degree with this passion and undergraduate degree and continue on to a PhD in global health. samantha.paton@gmail.com

Nadine Kwebetchou, USA. I discovered OOFRAS Inc while conducting a needs assessment during an internship at a local International Rescue Committee officein USA, exploring the role of occupational therapy (OT) in refugee resettlement. With the helpful resources afforded from the OOFRAS Inc website, she continues to stay intrigued with international OT opportunities and networking opportunities with OTs who think outside of the box. nadine.kwebetchou@gmail.com

Kathy Niece, USA. Kathy says in my personal and professional lives, I have always been involved with people at the margins of society. As an occupational therapist for more than 20 years, I have worked in acute mental health and skilled nursing facilities while also living among and working with the homeless and immigrants out in the community. I currently teach and coordinate fieldwork at Nebraska's only occupational therapy assistant program. One of my deepest passions is helping move the OT profession in the United States beyond hospitals and clinics, out into the community to address occupational disruptions and barriers faced by a variety of individuals and populations, particularly the marginalized. kniece@cccneb.edu

Natasha Smet, USA. "I am an Occupational Therapy Doctorate Student at The University of Toledo - in Toledo Ohio. I am an American but I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa during the Apartheid era. My doctoral scholarly project is titled: Occupational Therapy's Role with Immigrant's and Refugees. I hope to publish my work in May of 2014 - after my graduation." nsmet2@rockets.utoledo.edu

AFRICA

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