Therapists beyond borders: Local community empowerment through Global Training of Trainers

In a church outside Nairobi, an occupational therapist (OT) sits with a child and their caregiver. Together, they stack well-used colorful blocks from home and build and repair tumbling towers, working on the development of fine motor skills. The OT sings a caregiver-suggested song to help manage frustration. The child smiles and laughs when their caregiver joins in. Thousands of miles away in a well-resourced clinic on Chicago’s North Side, anther OT partners with a grandparent to support similar goals through playful engagement using clinic-supplied toys. Although the environments differ, both OTs are guided by the same principles of client- and family-centered care; cultural humility; and meaningful, occupation-based practice. The context shapes how principles are applied and sustained.