In early July, Maura Moyle received an unexpected call from her friend and colleague, Jayne Jaskolski. “You’re inviting me to do what?!” Maura asked, surprised.
Jayne was calling to invite Maura to join her on a trip to Belize in just a few short weeks to volunteer with Therapy Volunteers, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free pediatric therapy services to underserved communities worldwide.
Therapy Volunteers operates a free therapy clinic in Belize City, offering speech, occupational, and behavioral therapy for children of all ages.
“At first, I was taken aback,” Maura admitted. “I’m used to teaching my students in the U.S. and volunteering locally, but traveling to Belize was something new. I worried about the travel, passports, vaccinations, logistics, my parental responsibilities, and Covid.”
But as she thought more about the opportunity, Maura’s determination to serve the children of Belize grew stronger. Trusting Jayne and driven by her passion for helping others, she decided to go and quickly set her plans into motion.
On July 30, 2022, Maura and Jayne landed in Belize City, unsure of what to expect. They were welcomed by local coordinators and taken to their cabin in the tropical countryside, where they prepared for the week ahead.
The week was filled with meaningful service. Maura, Jayne, and other volunteers worked directly with children through the local school system, thanks to a partnership between Autism Belize and Therapy Volunteers. They also met with parents and participated in cross-cultural experiences, which further deepened their understanding of the community and its needs.
When the week came to an end, Maura returned to Milwaukee, where she serves as an associate professor at Marquette University. However, the experience left her profoundly changed.
“Serving in Belize allowed me to rediscover speech and language therapy in new and refreshing ways,” Maura reflected. “I have a renewed appreciation for the field. Belize reinvigorated me, and I am committed to continuing to serve the children of Belize in the future.”
True to her word, Maura quickly got to work. Upon returning to Marquette, she scheduled a Zoom call with a Therapy Volunteers partnership coordinator to explore potential collaborations between the university and the nonprofit. With shared missions of service and education, Maura believes Marquette and Therapy Volunteers are a perfect fit.
She is now exploring new ways to deepen the university’s involvement, expanding opportunities for more students and faculty to experience the transformative impact of volunteering with Therapy Volunteers. For Maura, the journey to Belize was just the beginning of a long-term commitment to making a difference.
