Beginning last year it has been a goal of mine to serve somewhere. I had no specific place in mind but knew it was time for me to leave my comfort zone and serve in a way that I could both physically and spiritually help people. I have applied and been accepted to serve with Hope Speaks to use the skills that I have been learning about and training in undergrad and graduate school the past six years. To explain this in a way that spoke to me, services for children and adults in Uganda is so rare that it is equivalent to having one Speech Language Pathologist to serve all of Lubbock and Abilene, children and adults combined. People are waiting years before receiving therapy. "Why do you have to leave the country to serve?" I don't. Following graduation my career will be full-time SLP in Texas, where I will be able to help people improve their communication and quality of life daily. This opportunity scares me, it was difficult to commit to three weeks in Uganda, but I believe God is asking me to give more, while I am able. There is an urgent need in Uganda right now for therapy and training to improve quality of life. This is the opportunity I have prayed for over the past year, to serve in a way specific to me. 

Hope Speaks is a ministry that was founded to help children with disabilities in Kampala, Uganda. 1 in 7 children are living with a disability. Children and adults with disabilities and adults neurological problems are often forgotten about or left by their families in Uganda. The main ministry of Hope Speaks is providing Speech Language Therapy to hundreds of these individuals. We teach them to chew & swallow, understand and express language, aid the parents with supports for the child, and so much more. Many of the volunteers are Speech Language Pathology grad students, as well as Speech Therapy professionals. This will help them reach many more children with these services. It is also part of the ministry for volunteers to educate and train students in Uganda so that services continue beyond our stay.

Every donation is important and will enable me to be present and help these children and adults with disabilities. Making a donation of any size is one way to help and support me. Praying for me, and sharing your experiences, are also huge ways to support me. I would greatly appreciate your willingness to share this post with others who may want to participate.

Thank you so much for being a part of my life, your willingness to support me, and helping me accomplish something that's been on my heart and a goal of mine since I began graduate school. I fully believe that God has given me the opportunity to receive an education here, and that it is in His will that I take my abilities to help where others do not have the same access. I am over the moon excited for all I will learn and teach while I am there!!! God bless.

All the best, 

Kelly McDaniel