Libby's ICSF Mission Trip to Philippines

Family & Friends,

As many of you know, I completed my graduate education from the Univeristy of Northern Colorado Greeley in 2021. I obtained my Master of Arts in Speech Language Pathology and have since been working as a pediatric speech language pathologist in the medical outpatient settings. Through my position with Theresa M. Snelling and Associates, I have been given the opportunity this upcoming summer (August 2024) to travel to the island of Mindanao in the Phillippines, with my boss and incredible mentor Theresa Snelling, on a speech therapy mission through the International Children's Surgical Foundation (ICSF). This foundation is a non-profit organization that serves developing countries whose purpose is to provide free surgery to children with unrepaired cleft lip and palate as well as train local doctors and therapists to safely treat their patients.

One of the associated missions they provide each year is an intensive two-week speech therapy mission for children and young adults as follow-up to their surgical cleft repairs. During these two-weeks, children are provided with free housing, meals, and two-weeks of intensive speech therapy they otherwise have no access to. All the children/patients participating have had their cleft lip/palate surgically repaired in the past year by Dr. Geoff Williams, medical director/founder and surgeon of ICSF. Without his skilled and remarkable surgical outcomes, speech progress would not be possible.

Our stay is hosted by the Community of Hope Special Education Center and community volunteers. As mentioned above, this mission is volunteer. While I will be providing therapy to patients, the work I do will be unpaid and I have had to factor this into my decision to go. At this time I am hoping to raise money to support my trip this summer. While my meals and housing are provided, I am responsible for paying my way to and from the Phillippines. Additional costs I have factored in include support for vaccinations (some not covered by insurance) and support for the two weeks of typical pay/salary I will give up to join the two-week mission.

All donations will go directly to cover costs for my travel and some salary reimbursement for time away. Any monies donated above these costs will be used to help purchase therapy materials and/or will be donated directly to the speech therapy fund at ICSF for future speech missions and expenses.

If you prefer to recieve a tax-deductible receipt for your donation, by making your donation directly to ICSF on my behalf, please contact me directly for further details. For additional information on the surgical missions, visit www.icsfoundation.org

This mission trip is an incredible and special opportunity. I have always had a passion for treating patients with cleft lip/palate. I get to continue to grow and learn in this passion alongside some of the most knowledagble individuals while also providing services to those who do not have access to this life changing therapy or the financial resources to access it.

In advance I thank each of you for taking the time to read and learn about this mission. Any means of support whether financial, prayers, or positive vibes are truly appreciated.

Libby Carter-Schiller