We opened the doors in July 2025 to welcome children and their families from the Tamale community in Ghana to access speech and occupational therapy services that were previously unavailable. Communication is necessary for learning, socialization, and being included in society. Tamale has one practicing speech therapist serving the region, and our hope is that, with this center, every child has a chance to be heard.
children with special needs are kept out of the classroom because little to no money is budgeted for their needs*.
are currently living with a disability with 80% of these individuals live in a developing country.
with disabilities to be subject to violence than for 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.
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.
We offer students an opportunity to prepare as speech-language pathologists in an intercultural society through a practical hands-on immersive cultural experience. Students reach beyond the textbook to learn culturally responsive practices for screening, assessing, and treating children with communication disorders from a different culture. Students will develop stronger clinical skills and gain a broader perspective of speech pathology through lectures, workshops, and peer-mentorship with international students serving as cultural- linguistic brokers.
Alvin
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 intensive speech therapy, specialized feeding therapy, and occupational teletherapy 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.
Ella
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!
Jonathan
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 collaboration with a local Speech- Language Therapist, 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!
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
Smile for Speech has enlarged my knowledge not only about my field of study but also other very crucial topics, such as cultural humility and responsiveness. I am very grateful to all the workshops, events, and speakers that have taught me to be more humble, kinder, understanding, and respectful to other cultures.
- Marijia, Student Ambassador
This is not just an NGO, it is a movement. It is a movement that ensures that no child is left behind due to their deprived background and/or speech problems. This is a movement that is putting smiles on the faces of children worldwide. This is a movement that you should be a part of.
- Naana, Project Ghana Coordinator
I traveled to Ghana with Smiles for Speech. We supported university students who we continue to mentor even from the U.S. so the work can be sustainable. We visited two centers for autism, a special education inclusive school, a refugee camp and a psychiatric hospital to work with kids with special needs. Ghana, the children/family/students there, and my Smiles for Speech family left an imprint on my heart.
- Lisa, SLP Project Ghana
I heard of SFS through my supervisor in 2019. Through the Smiles for Speech program, I met wonderful mentors who supported me and continued to help me build my confidence and professional skills. I received tons of resources including toys, books, and other reading materials to help in my clinical practice. Smiles For Speech is such an amazing organization.
- Abraham, Smiles for Speech Scholar, Ghana
I found out about Smiles for Speech from their Instagram and knew I wanted to be a part of this amazing organization. I was amazed about all the work they have done to help create better resources for children from underserved communities. I am honored to be a part of Smiles for Speech.
- Amanda, SFS Intern
