Speech Pathology Group:
Children’s Services International
Speech Pathology Group:
Children’s Services International
(SPG: CSI) is dedicated to
improving the quality of life for
children with speech and language
disorders around the world.
Approximately one in every six
people suffer from some form of
communication disorder, making it
more common than pediatric cancer,
diabetes, and AIDS combined.
Speech and language therapy is
often non-existent for many
children who need it most.
SPG: CSI is committed to teaching
the teachers and putting the people
and services in place to ensure
long-term, sustainable
communication solutions.
We are a volunteer organization
comprised of medical, educational
and administrative professionals
from the United States.
We currently serve children in
South Africa, Bosnia and
Northern California.
There are no paid employees
– only dedicated people giving
their talents and time.
Volunteers and contributors allow us
to provide educational services and
charitable assistance for therapy in
low income communities worldwide.
SPG: CSI is proof that the power of
one person can make a difference.
In 1997, two years after the Bosnian
War, a Speech-Language Pathologist
(SLP) was volunteering at the
Sarajevo Youth House when she met
a little girl named Ajla.
Ajla was sitting silently in an English
class and was not participating.
“There is nothing that can be
done for her,” said her teacher.
Ajla was deaf.
Prior to the war, Bosnia was one of
the 6 Yugoslav Republics.
Sarajevo was a model of religious
and ethnic tolerance. Muslims,
Croats and Serbs lived together
peacefully for generations.
Sarajevo, the capital city, was host
city to the 1984 Winter Olympics.
From 1992-1995, the Bosnian war was
the most brutal chapter in the
breakup of Yugoslavia.
The Serbian army held Sarajevo
under siege.
Residents were cut off from food,
water, utilities and communication.
They dodged sniper fire every time
they left their homes.
The terms “ethnic cleansing” and
“genocide” became synonymous with
the Bosnian War.
Entire villages were
destroyed. Thousands were
expelled from their homes.
Over two-million Bosnians
became forcibly displaced
or left the country by choice.
Muslims and Croats were held in
detention camps, raped, tortured,
deported, or summarily executed.
More than 97,000 people were
killed in Bosnia from 1992-1995.
Over 16,000 of them children.
After the war, international relief
organizations flooded the country.
Bosnia’s immediate needs of
security, demining and the rebuilding
of infrastructure were addressed.
However, the area of education was
largely neglected.
Relief agency volunteers provided
supplementary education for
students who had missed years
of school during the war.
One of those volunteers stumbled
upon Ajla, the deaf girl who could not
participate in school. She knew Ajla
could learn to communicate just like
anyone else.
The volunteer, Judi Jewett, found
hearing aides and therapy services
for Ajla. Her mother said, “Before this
therapy Ajla couldn’t talk. You taught
her to talk.”
Ajla’s mother began referring other
children, and within a short period,
more than 20 children with hearing
impairments were being served.
Ten years after the war, hundreds
of children had been served
throughout Bosnia.
More than 40 SLP’s and Audiologists
from all over the United States had
volunteered to provide evaluations
and therapy services.
The project had become larger than
ever imagined, and continues to
expand even further.
In 2009, SPG: CSI and the
government of Bosnia-Herzegovina
are combining their efforts to
establish and implement two
ground-breaking programs.
Each program is designed to
“Teach the Teachers” and provide
sustainable aid to the children of
this devastated country.
These programs are at the heart of
SPG: CSI’s mission.
SPG: CSI Bosnia
Autism Project 2009
Open the first classroom for
3-5 year olds with Autism.
This classroom will serve as a
training center for professionals and
as a model for future Autism
classrooms throughout Bosnia.
Co-host a five-day seminar for
parents and professionals, providing
them with current diagnosis and
treatment techniques for children
with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
SPG: CSI Bosnia
Hearing Impaired Project 2009
Present seminars and host
round-table discussions for
parents and professionals serving
the hearing impaired population in
3 cities in Bosnia.
Around the world, and here at home,
SPG: CSI is committed to serving
children in need.
SPG: CSI South Africa
Project 2009
Provide ongoing support and
consultation to teachers and schools
currently utilizing the Language
Through Expansion Play kits which
were distributed in 2008.
Northern California 2009
Provide charitable assistance for
speech and language therapy for
low-income families.
In order to change a child’s life
we need you.
YOU CAN MULTIPLY
THE POWER OF ONE
If you’re out there…
Improve the quality of life
for children with speech
and language disorders.
DONATE NOW.
www.spgcsi.org