Speech therapy

Closing the lip and the palate makes a big difference in the lives of children with schisis. However, this does not completely resolve the problem. Every child born with an open palate needs speech therapy after closing this palate.

Because of the structural differences of the face and mouth that are associated with cleft lip and palate, children develop insecurity and avoidance behaviors in speaking situations within their communities. This leads to isolation, fears and anxieties which impact their social participation. To prevent this from happening, we provide quality speech therapy services that are free of charge across twelve different locations throughout Guatemala. 

Momenteel hebben we 6 lokale logopedisten. Naast dat zij met de kinderen werken, geven ze ook de ouders voorlichting over de spraakontwikkeling voorafgaand aan de operatie. Op deze manier kunnen ouders hun kinderen op de juiste manier stimuleren en ook vanuit huis een afwijkende spraak voorkomen. De kosten voor 1 jaar logopedie zijn €60 per kind.