Hello everyone! 

For anyone who may not know me, my name is Codi Dunn. I am a college graduate from the University of Montana who is passionate about my studies in Speech-Language Pathology. I earned my bachelor's degree in December 2023 and am hoping to begin my graduate program in the fall of 2024.

I have been blessed to gain experience even in my undergraduate studies by working as an SLP-A  at a pediatric therapy clinic over the past year working under some amazing therapists and have gained so many new skills! Not only do I love the work, but I also love how it gives me a chance to form lasting connections and make a real difference in the lives of these children. In between my Graduation and starting my graduate program, I am hoping to use these new skills to go serve in a country that I feel the Lord has placed on my heart.

Last summer, I took a 2-week trip to a small village, school, and local churches in Uganda to work, form relationships, learn, educate, provide resources, and share the good news with the amazing people there. During that trip, I saw God show up in ways I had never yet noticed and I felt incredibly drawn to the people and their strong faith. All I could think about was how I could come back and fill a need in this community in another way. That was when I discovered Hope Speaks through a coworker of mine and all I could think was how perfect it was! I will be joining the team for 3 weeks in May of 2024! 

Hope Speaks is a nonprofit based in Kampala, Uganda. Their mission is to inspire hope and raise the 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? If you are unable to help financially, please support this organization through your prayers. 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! I trust that, if it is God's will, He will provide all that is needed to make this trip happen and bless the children with disabilities in Uganda. God bless you!