Kerry Tichi, MS CCC/SLP, received a TalkTools donation. She used it to bring OPT tools to children with disabilities in Roatan, Honduras. So this TalkTools Honduras OPT outreach was born. It would go on to change many lives.
Kerry is a Level II TalkTools-certified SLP. She writes: "I spent one week on Roatan. I assessed students and built treatment plans. Those students attend CATTLEYA, a school for children with disabilities. It was a great privilege to bring TalkTools to this community."
TalkTools Honduras OPT Outreach: Planning the Mission
First, Kerry worked with TalkTools President Luke Blessinger to plan the trip. They packed a full suitcase of OPT tools. Next, Kerry mapped out how to assess each child. She also planned to build tailored OPT programs for each student. Finally, she would train teachers and parents on TalkTools basics.
Kerry had lived on Roatan in 2014. At that time, she taught English to a low-income community. However, she had only briefly met families of children with disabilities. Still, she knew she could help.
Girls in Honduras often get less schooling than boys. Those with disabilities get even less. For this reason, a group of parents took action. As a result, they built more awareness and more options for their children.
CATTLEYA: The Heart of TalkTools Honduras OPT Outreach
CATTLEYA is an NGO on Roatan, Honduras. Its mission is to help people with disabilities. Furthermore, it works with Honduras's national parents' federation for people with disabilities. In short, a group of volunteer parents runs it.
The goal is simple. CATTLEYA wants to reach every child with disabilities. In addition, it gives each child the tools to reach their full potential. As a result, children can take part in society.
The name honors a young girl named Mia Cattleya. She was born with Down Syndrome. Sadly, she passed away due to heart disease. Moreover, CATTLEYA is also the name of a beautiful orchid. It stands for life and hope.
CATTLEYA started as a small group of mothers in 2010. Since then, it has grown into a full school. Now it runs CEDICA, a school for children with disabilities in Roatan.
Student Assessments and TalkTools OPT Results
The school serves about 20 students. They range in age from 3 to 22 years. Kerry assessed every student. Their diagnoses included Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism, among others.
In addition, another 10 children came forward for help. They heard about Kerry through Facebook, TV, and word of mouth. By the end of the week, Kerry had built OPT plans for more than half of all the children.
Furthermore, Kerry trained teachers, parents, and a local SLP. They learned proper positioning and speech basics. She also taught them the chewing, straw, and horn steps. Although it was a lot to cover, the team planned to keep learning by email and video call.
TalkTools Honduras OPT Outreach: CATTLEYA's Impact and Needs
A follow-up trip is set for three months from now. Kerry says: "I knew I could help. I just did not know how much!"
With TalkTools' support, this TalkTools Honduras OPT outreach will keep growing. As the program expands, more children will get the care they need. Therefore, together we can make a real, lasting impact.
"Thank you TalkTools for partnering in this venture!" - Kerry Tichi, MS CCC/SLP
Over the past two years, CEDICA has grown from two clinic rooms to a full school building. However, there is still much to do. Specifically, current needs include:
- Hiring a Special Education Teacher to guide program growth
- Sponsoring children with disabilities to attend school
- Providing ongoing training for teachers and parents
- Assessing students and reviewing programs each year
- Advocating for people with disabilities across the Bay Islands
- Improving the website to reach more donors and families
- Planning a vocational program for older students
CATTLEYA needs $4,623.70 per month to run. However, its 2016 income was only $3,063.79. Consequently, there is a monthly gap of $1,559.91. As a result, the school lacks a full-time teacher and cannot reach as many families as it would like.
Therefore, if this story moves you, please contact CATTLEYA today. Kerry can be reached in the comments below.