As I’m sure all of you know, Hope Speaks is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart. It has made me into the speech-language pathologist I am today! I am so excited to have the opportunity to go back for 14 weeks in the fall—this time to not only work with Hope Speaks clients, but to also supervise a graduate student from Rush. We’ve come full circle, everyone! 

For this trip, I am fundraising a small amount that will ensure we're able to serve our clients in each of the various settings. I cannot wait to go back and work alongside my Ugandan colleagues, utilize the new skillset I’ve acquired over the last three years, and get to teach a graduate student along the way!

Being further into my career, I have so many ideas of therapy materials that would benefit the kids and adults we treat. I have spoken with Kari to determine where the areas of greatest need are and have included an Amazon wishlist link for therapy materials to bring with me.

Whether it's through a one-time donation, monthly donations, therapy materials from the wishlist, or praying for me along the way, I would be so grateful if you could partner with me on this journey!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/XTLYMTSNBCXP?ref_=wl_fv_le

Hope Speaks is a nonprofit based in Kampala, Uganda. Their mission is to inspire hope and raise voices of people with disabilities through speech therapy, advocacy, education, and social services. In Uganda, 1 in 7 children are living with a disability. Hope Speaks' main focus is on making speech, language, and feeding therapy accessible for hundreds of children. In therapy, they help children learn to communicate their wants, needs, and ideas, build social skills, and swallow safely, as well as empower and educate families and communities about disabilities and available resources to help people of all abilities reach their fullest potential.  

Many of Hope Speaks' volunteers are Speech-Language Pathology grad students, as well as SLP professionals. Through volunteer partnerships, Hope Speaks strives to build the capacity of Ugandan therapists through training and mentoring. 

Hope Speaks has gone beyond that and also includes hosting other groups who help with projects, food for families, respite care, children's day camps, and serving in the slums.

Every donation is important and will enable me to be present and help children with disabilities to find their voices. Would you kindly consider making a donation? Also, I would appreciate your willingness to share this with others who may want to participate.

Thank you so much for being a part of my life and helping me accomplish something that's important to all of us! God bless you!