Seeking Donations

Our Approach

Dear Respected Donors:

Our organization, Dr. Faizi Foundation for Children with Cleft, is 501(c)(3) non-profit with registration number: 13913889-0140 and tax id number 99-2338326. Our focus is on post cleft lip/palate surgery speech in the US and selected low middle income countries.

We need to shine a brighter light for post cleft lip/palate surgery care for children, especially in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Faizi would go on missions to Guatemala to perform cleft surgery, and recognized that surgery for cleft is only the beginning of the healing process. Cate Crowley, Professor of Practice, Communication Sciences and Disorders , Teachers College at Columbia University, aptly stated…’the surgeon gives the child a guitar (a new palate), but the speech therapist shows the child how to play that guitar (producing the correct speech sounds).’

How Speech Therapy Creates Opportunities for Cleft Palate Surgery Patients | July | 2023

The surgery (or surgeries) alone do not adequately address the speech challenges. Speech is also impacted by dental (anomalies & malpositioning of teeth) and hearing (middle ear infections) challenges, hence, need an integrated approach. Thus, the child’s ability to communicate and be understood impacts self esteem issues, social skills, etc., and, without speech therapy, may even lead to stigma, bullying, expulsion from school, and other adverse implications.

Speech therapy, post surgery, for children with cleft in places like the US, UK, and other developed countries, is typically routine and part of the treatment of the patient. In LMIC, there are a number of issues, from patient travel (to major city/capital) to few qualified speech therapists and costs, language materials, and so on, hence, more must be done.

Barriers and Resources to Cleft Lip and Palate Speech Services Globally: A Descriptive Study - PMC

The objective of the Foundation is to focus efforts (robust content on website) and resources (donations) for speech after cleft surgery care. The donations will be applied towards:

Working with organizations involved in training speech therapists in LMICs, like SmileTrain (which builds local capacity), for parts of Africa and Latin America, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Philippines.
Working with sign language organizations, like American Sign Language, in above mentioned places that can provide training to such children and their families (mothers), as a compliment to speech therapy. This will help upskill the child for opportunities. American Sign Language - Wikipedia
Working with linguistic/language learning startups/SMES to bring the cleft community to their attention as part of the addressable market. The objective is correct annunciations.

It takes a village of special people to make a difference for children that are only asking for an opportunity to have a normal life of play, education and eventual work. Please help us ‘move mountains’ for these special children, as little as the price of three (3) cups of Starbucks coffee a month.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to read and review our website, and please do not hesitate to reach out to us for any and all questions.

Kind Personal Regards

Rushdi Siddiqui

Executive Director