Project Ghana

July 12 - 20TH, 2026

 

Make a Difference in the Lives of Children with Communication Differences

Are you a passionate and dedicated speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, or other related allied health professional, or even a bright student looking for a life-changing experience to make an impact in the world? Join Project Ghana and make a difference in the lives of children without access to the therapeutic services they deserve.

 

Why Ghana?

Ghana is a beautiful and vibrant country with a rich cultural heritage and a fascinating history. However, many children with communication differences in Ghana face significant challenges. They often face challenges due to stigma and financial resources to access quality education, healthcare, and therapy support services. Project Ghana aims to address these challenges and provide these children with the resources they need to thrive.

 
 

What Will You Do?

  • Engage in enriching training on global perspectives that will elevate your cultural awareness and humility.

  • Make a difference by participating in Smiles for Speech community clinics, where you’ll provide valuable training for parents and teachers, conduct free screenings, deliver direct therapy, and offer essential consultations.

  • Forge meaningful connections with inter-professional colleagues while experiencing the rich culture and heritage of Accra, Northern Ghana, and Cape Coast.

  • Take the opportunity to visit local hospitals, clinics, special schools, and orphanages, where you can make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in underserved communities.

  • Benefit from personalized, one-on-one supervision while earning clinic hours, all under the mentorship of U.S.-licensed, ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists. Join us in making a lasting impact!

 
 

Who Should Apply?

If you are a passionate, dedicated speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, audiologist, or other helping professional committed to making a difference in the lives of children, we would love to have you consider joining. Applicants should have some experience working with children with disabilities and be willing to share their skills and knowledge with the team. Our seasoned leaders will guide you along the way.

 
 

How to Apply

Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are full. You will then be contacted for interviews, which will be held with selected candidates. We look forward to hearing from you!

 
Apply Now

Cultural Excursions

City Tour of Accra

Explore Ghana during a City Tour of Accra, including:

- Independence Square
- Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Center
- Art center for shopping and traditional dance and drums

Kakum National Park

The Kakum Canopy Walkway experience is a brave walk on a 350-meter-long suspension bridge that stretches across the treetops, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the tropical rainforest below. You will love it!

Cape Coast Castle

You will travel to the historic Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Ghana's most significant landmarks. Once a major center of the transatlantic slave trade, the castle now serves as a place of remembrance and education, honoring the resilience of those who endured unimaginable hardship.

Red Clay Museum

The Red Clay Museum, a creative hub founded by recently honored artist Ibrahim Mahama, is the first African person to occupy the top spot on the Power 100 list. The museum showcases large-scale installations and reclaimed materials that tell stories of Ghana’s history, labor, and transformation.

 

Sample Accommodations

Private guest rooms are air-conditioned with a private bathroom in safe, secure hotels throughout the stay.

 

Total Trip Cost $4,695

Only a $500 non-refundable deposit is needed to hold your spot!

INCLUDED

  • 3-Star Moderate hotel accommodations

  • Airport transfers to/from Kotoka International Airport

  • Air-conditioned transportation to all events

  • In-country round-trip flights to Tamale, Ghana

  • Breakfast and lunch daily, including non-alcoholic drinks

  • Opening & closing dinners

  • All cultural exursions and group activities

  • The Global Scholars Cross-Cultural Certificate from Pepperdine University

  • 15 Continuing education hours

 
 

NOT INCLUDED

  • International flights from the USA to Accra, Ghana

  • Visa to Ghana (we support the application process)

  • Vaccines recommended by the CDC (cost varies depending on location or may be covered by insurance)

  • Any airport arrival and departure taxes

  • Any additional experiences, tours, or nights accommodation for extended stays

 

Team Leaders

 

Sandy Dorsey
MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH

Sandy Dorsey, MA, CCC-SLP, TSHH is a speech-language pathologist (SLP), educator, and global advocate for children with special needs, with over three decades of experience in the field. She leads a team of SLPs providing culturally responsive speech services through her private practice, All About Speech, based in New York City, and is a guest lecturer at the University of Ghana. 

Ms. Dorsey founded the non-profit organization Smiles for Speech (SFS) in 2017 driven by a commitment to enhancing access to therapeutic resources for children with disabilities, primarily in Africa. SFS provides charitable direct consultations, teacher training through service trips, parent training and resources, and teletherapy services. SFS was recently awarded a clinical grant from the Parkinson’s Voice Project, furthering its global health experiences to expand services to include support for adults with speech and language needs. 

Ms. Dorsey was recently honored at the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) International Convention in Washington, DC serves as the Speech-Language Pathology member on the ASHA International Issues Board 2025-2027 and was selected for the National Black Speech Association (NBASLH) Cultural Humility Ambassador. Her expertise, unwavering advocacy, and dedication to advancing the field of speech-language pathology make her a transformative force in both local and international communities, championing individuals with communication challenges to reach their full potential.

 

Kimberly Formby
OTR/L

Kimberly Formby, OTR/L, Vice President of Smiles for Speech, is a US- and UK-qualified occupational therapist with more than 30 years of experience supporting children and families across hospitals, schools, and clinics worldwide. She currently lives and works in Orkney, Scotland, as a Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist for NHS Orkney. Before moving to Scotland, Kim was Clinical Supervisor for a sensory integration private practice with four clinics in London, a Clinical Supervisor at a local hospital, and a private practice owner in rural Maine. Passionate about empowering others through education and collaboration, she has trained teachers and parents in Ghana and Kenya and presented internationally on pediatric feeding and sensory integration. She is an active member of both the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

 

Amanda Forgit
MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, BE

Amanda Forgit, MS, CCC-SLP, TSSLD, BE is a trilingual, school-based speech-language pathologist (SLP) holding a Bilingual Extension from Columbia University. Amanda currently serves school-age, autistic children, and others with various developmental disabilities in the New York City public schools. She specializes in topics surrounding bilingualism and the SLP, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), and feeding disorders. Although Amanda is fluent in English and Italian, her clinical area of interest lies in Spanish. Amanda enjoys connecting with speech-language pathologists and student interns to support children without access to speech-therapy services.

 

Volunteer Requirements:

Project Ghana offers speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and related professionals the opportunity to collaborate, learn, and serve in a cross-cultural environment while upholding the highest standards of professionalism and respect. This program is designed not only to provide clinical support but also to foster meaningful cultural exchange and personal growth.

Cultural Awareness

Approach the experience with a thoughtful, mindful, and intentional mindset.

Focus on learning from a culture different from your own, without judgment.

Embrace flexibility and adaptability, especially when it comes to cultural differences in time and scheduling.

Daily Life

Be prepared for dusty, bumpy, and uneven roads, as well as potential traffic delays.

Some work sites may not have air-conditioning, though transportation and hotels are air-conditioned for comfort.

Maintaining resilience and adaptability in these conditions is key to a successful experience.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Support and share resources with your fellow team members.

We believe that our strength lies in how we uplift one another—we are only as good as the person next to us.

Collaboration ensures that we can provide the best possible care and leave a lasting impact.

Community Commitment

Our goal is for the community to feel empowered and supported through sustainable practices and respectful engagement.

We do not permit volunteers to take photos during service visits (selfies) to protect children and their families, in alignment with most country standards.

Photos will only be taken by Smiles for Speech at appropriate times and may be shared later, ensuring dignity and respect for the communities.

Professional Standards

All participants are expected to uphold the ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) and AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) codes of conduct. These standards guide our screening process and all professional activities throughout the program.

 

FAQs

  • We recommend you fly into the Jomo Kenyatta Airport.

  • We recommend you fly into Accra in the morning or afternoon of July 12th to rest and relax before the program begins, and we depart for dinner at 6 PM.

  • A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot. We have an interest-free payment program for the remaining payments. The additional cost may be raised through our fundraising links, which will be provided via Give Butter.

  • The global health experience begins at 5:30 P.M. GMT on July 12, 2026, and ends at check-out at 11 A.M. GMT on July 20th, 2026.

  • Dedicated speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, audiologists, social workers, special educators, nurses, and helping professionals with a heart to serve children with communication differences in need.

  • Those who may struggle with working in hot conditions, managing long days, or adapting to changing situations may find this trip very challenging.

  • We have 5 days of service during the week. The rest of the time is for rest, exploring, cultural excursions, and reflection.

    Click here to view the sample itinerary. *Subject to change*

  • Rooms are assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, depending on when you paid your deposit.

  • Email us at hello@smilesforspeech.org! We are here for you!

 
Join the team!