Project CLP

In Ethiopia and other developing countries, access to proper care for cleft lip and palate is limited. Cleft lip and cleft palate is a congenital disorder in which the upper lip or palate (roof of the mouth) does not develop sufficient closure. Most Ethiopian children with cleft lip or palate would benefit from some form of speech and language therapy, but if left untreated, it can impair their speech sound development and production (velopharyngeal insufficiency). Other aspects of normal oral functions such as feeding, hearing, and social communication may also be impacted due to cleft lip or palate. Project Cleft Lip and Palate (Project CLP) is founded and organized by Amila Shake and Sarah Robso, two aspiring Ethiopian Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs), who want to better serve and provide for their home country. The purpose and goal of Project CLP is to raise funds in order to collect items and resources to send to Ethiopia in December 2020 that can assist with speech therapy, while building relationships with the locals and the healthcare community. As of currently, Yekatit 12 Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia houses the only speech and language clinic in the country. Hanna Abebe Håkonsen educates students at Addis Ababa University who are working towards becoming a speech-language pathologist and provides speech and language services to individuals with cleft lip and palate. In addition to providing Ethiopia with essential therapy materials, our mission includes educating caregivers and medical professionals on the importance of speech therapy.