Through a non-profit organization called, Hope Speaks, we are so excited to have this opportunity to serve in Uganda for 2-weeks. The heart of this organization includes “inspiring hope and raising voices of people with disabilities through therapy, advocacy, and social services,” with a vision of seeing “transformed communities where people with disabilities are celebrated and living to their fullest potential.”

This trip will enable us to support children and provide specialized speech/language services to improve quality of life and to ensure basic human rights. Currently, 1 in 7 children in Uganda are living with a disability and many will never receive the therapy services they desperately need to live full, meaningful, and happy lives, as the need for therapy, education, and training is crucial. We will be coming alongside families and children with disabilities to inspire hope and raise voices in Uganda, while empowering and training parents and increasing self-reliance through providing home programs and education.

Conrad, as a speech language pathologist, has always dreamed of using his 6-year education and additional 4 years of professional experience in pediatrics to uniquely serve overseas. Annika, having grown up overseas, has a strong background and disposition to serve where she can, being specifically drawn to culture and her love for people. She is especially excited to work alongside mothers to empower them.

See additional information regarding our trip below:
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!