Smiles for Speech Early Learning and Care Center
We opened our doors in July 2025 to welcome children and their families from the Tamale community in Ghana to access speech and occupational therapy services that had previously been unavailable. Communication is essential for learning, socialization, and inclusion in society. Tamale has very few practicing speech therapists serving the region, and our hope is that, with this center, every child has a chance to be heard.
90%
OF THE WORLD'S SCHOOL-AGE
Children with different abilities are kept out of the classroom because little to no money is budgeted for their needs*.
1 in 10
CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD
are currently living with a disability, with 80% of these individuals living in a developing country.
1.7x
GREATER CHANCE FOR CHILDREN
with disabilities are more likely to be subject to violence than their peers without disabilities.
We carefully organize specialized, interprofessional teams of speech-language pathologists and related professionals to support our center in Ghana and other countries we serve, helping children with communication disorders. Our highly trained clinical supervisors have led teams of dedicated professionals and students in collaborating with members of the local community to provide free speech therapy, occupational therapy, training, and mentorship. We take great pride in ensuring sustainable practices by incorporating students and early-career speech-language therapists into our Global Therapy Outreach Mentorship program.
Global Health Experience
Global Teletherapy Hubs
We have expanded our ability to provide services for children via direct speech and occupational teletherapy services. We are committed to supporting children and their families while continuing to offer intensive training through parent-mediated virtual workshops and shared resources. Our community of families have unlimited access to a digital library of videos and culturally appropriate materials for sharing and at home maintenance.
Smiles for Speech Study Abroad Program
We offer students the opportunity to prepare to become speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists in an intercultural society through a practical, hands-on, immersive cultural experience at our Smiles for Speech Early Learning and Care Center. Students extend beyond the textbook to learn culturally responsive practices for screening, assessing, and treating children from a different culture with communication differences. Students will develop stronger clinical skills and gain a broader perspective of speech pathology through lectures, workshops, and peer mentoring with international students who serve as cultural-linguistic brokers.
Success Stories
Alvin/ Kenya
Alvin was kept hidden at home for the last 13 years, due to stigma and shame. Mom was embarrassed about Alvin’s drooling and needing to change his shirt 6-7 times a day. Alvin had no interest in communicating with others and could only eat baby food.
After months of virtual intensive speech therapy, specialized feeding therapy, and occupational services with SFS, Alvin now smiles a lot! He can eat crunchy foods, has no need to change his shirt during the day and is eager to communicate with his family and new friends.
At 10 years old, most of Ella’s speech was very difficult to understand which was very frustrating for both Ella and her family. She had a vocabulary of less than 10 words, which made it difficult for her to communicate her basic wants and needs to participate in school-based activities.
Ella received on-going weekly speech teletherapy sessions including education, and training for Ella’s family. She is now able to communicate her thoughts to be more clearly understood by her family and friends. There is hope and promise for a better future for Ella!
Ella/Kenya
Jonathan/Ghana
Jonathan is a 6-year-old boy with a disability that causes him to inflict the self-injurious behavior of chewing the back of his hand. This made him more at risk for infections and was a barrier to communication with so much of his focus solely on biting his hand.
After Smiles for Speech donated oral motor therapy supplies and collaborated with a local Speech-Language Therapist in rural Ghana, Jonathan is able to self-soothe in a way that is no longer harmful to his well-being. Jonathan’s quality of life has improved! He is ready to play with his family and those that love him!
What People Say
I connected with Smiles for Speech to volunteer my services through telepractice. This organization's mission is to serve communities worldwide. The impact of Smiles for Speech is far reaching as parents tell other parents, who tell even more parents about the Smiles for Speech work.
- CRYSTAL, SLP TELETHERAPIST
Smiles for Speech Inc and Safari Yangu Community Inc have collaborated on many programs especially in Kenya where they're currently working with several learning institutions to initiate speech pathology training programs. My organization is a lucky partner as our missions continue to cross paths.
- NICK, SAFARI YANGU
I was first introduced to smiles for speech by a friend at a time when I was working to reduce and carefully manage communication disorders in my country. SFS has a zeal to create global awareness and educate society on therapeutic services has helped in remodeling the attitudes of many towards communication disorders.
- WINY, GLOBAL ADVISORY BOARD
Our Partners
