Speech Therapy & Hearing - Annual Reports

Speech Therapy
& Hearing

Challenges

For parents, feeding and navigating the reality of their child’s facial difference are immediate concerns. A child’s speech therapy requires strong parental involvement – no easy feat when work is precarious, and their other children have needs of their own.

Successes

In Chile, TF’s partner NGO Cleft‘s initiative ‘Pratica en linea’ has enriched children’s experiences with fun, game-inspired, online speech therapy

In 2022, TF supported the launch of the first speech therapy master’s program at the University of Addis Ababa. Many students participate in a practicum with TF’s local partner, Yekatit 12, focused on cleft care.

Did you know?

Speech therapy at the time of a child’s first words can improve their long-term outcomes. TF’s partners work closely with parents so they can support their child’s progress.

Hearing Clearly: Gebrela’s Cleft Care

Cleft Care in Focus 

Additional Supports    & More

Nurit was relieved when her daughter, 1.5 year old Gebrela, made it successfully through her third surgical treatment at CURE Ethiopia, Transforming Faces’ local partner.

The procedure was shorter and less intimidating than her daughter’s cleft lip and cleft palate surgeries. By reducing the chance of cleft-connected hearing loss, Nurit knew it was worth it.

With ear surgery complete, Gebrela’s hearing will now regularly be monitored by the team at CURE. As she continues Comprehensive Cleft Care, she will participate in speech therapy, which also relies on well-functioning hearing, to help her to speak confidently and clearly in preparation for school.

Reflecting on Gebrela’s birth, Nurit explained “I had never seen anyone with cleft before, so seeing my daughter's cleft lip and palate overwhelmed me”. At that moment, her midwife helped her understand that treatment was possible. Now, she feels joy seeing her daughter thrive.

Transforming Faces has partnered with CURE Ethiopia to deliver Comprehensive Cleft Care through a trusted local team.

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Gebrela and her mother, Nurit

Back to Impact Report

Thank you to TF staff, partners and volunteers for photos featured in this report and to Sahil Ali for additional film and photography. Visual design by Jessica Orduz.

Edited by Kristian Wykes