Since 1995, March has been designated “Women’s History Month” in the United States. The National Women’s History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme . In honor of this year’s theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” Tying Vines is highlighting Kelly Rice and her work in North Africa.
Kelly has worked as an Occupational Therapist for 35 years. In 2006 she founded Sovia Therapy Global Reach and employs 12 people. She and her staff provide Occupational and Physical Therapy, as well as Speech Language Pathology Services for infants and toddlers in the central Pennsylvania Region, where she has lived most of her life. Kelly also employs teachers who specialize in infant Massage instruction, behavior, vision and promoting language skills.
Last fall, Kelly and her daughter Olivia traveled to North Africa with their church. During the trip she connected with a family in the area who was interested in starting a therapy clinic in the region. From that connection Sovia Therapy Global Reach was launched. Kelly explains. ”We are pediatric therapists and feel called to help clinics in North Africa that are staffed with lay people. We are providing training, side by side coaching and hands on care to children that are currently being served in the Northern African region by traveling to this region annually. We send Occupational and Physical Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists to work alongside current staff to identify training needs and gaps in expertise. As needed, we will bring other meaningful professionals in to assist.“
The couple that Kelly met on that first trip were encouraged when they realized that Kelly was a therapist and owned her on company. They felt a calling to bring pediatric therapy services to the region, and then they met Kelly! Through many back and forth conversations this couple connected with a nearby clinic who serves 200 children per week, with only 5 staff who are not therapists and needed additional training. Kelly returned to North Africa to help the clinic with a Physical Therapist and her daughter who is a Speech Language Pathologist also working at Sovia. That week they saw 162 children and provided coaching and training for the staff. The children they saw had illnesses and disorders ranging from bone disorders like hip dysplasia and scoliosis, to cerebral palsy, and the inability to swallow. They helped mothers with ways to care for their children, like holding them certain ways to help with swallowing, making eating safer. “One child that impacted all of us deeply, was a little boy. He came to the center Thursday afternoon. Thinking he was 4 or 5, we asked mom our usual questions about his name and age. She said he was 13! He had been coming to the clinic for 12 years.” Kelly goes on to say that he had severe hip dysplasia and scoliosis as well as cerebral palsy. “When he had his tea he sounded as if he was drowning.” The team had to fight back the tears as they worked to help this little boy and his family.
The plan this year is to return to the region to wherever they are needed. The team is committed to going. Onboard already is a Physical Therapist, a Speech Language Pathologist, a Physician’s Assistant and Kelly, an Occupational Therapist with a heart and devotion for others. A woman who is moving forward, educating others, and caring for the next generation.
Please pray for her and the work she and her team will be doing. And if you would like to help financially, please donate here.
The School of Peace provides Gaza refugee children with education, daily meals and a safe space to heal, helping restore
The School of Peace provides Gaza refugee children with education, daily meals and a safe space to heal, helping restore
The School of Peace provides Gaza refugee children with education, daily meals and a safe space to heal, helping restore
