South African Hospice Partnership
In the spring of 2004 DeKalb County Hospice joined the Twinning Initiative of the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-Saharan Africa, FHSSA Our twin or partner is Knysna Hospice in Knysna South Africa. The initiative was developed to help hospice organizations work together to develop friendship links; exchange experiences, knowledge and skills; and develop mutual understanding, tolerance and respect.
The idea of twinning originated after World War I and increased substantially after World War II with the need for countries to work towards peace and reconciliation. In the hospice context, it was established in an effort to foster mutually beneficial relationships by promoting idea-sharing, educational opportunities, and professional exchanges between Sub-Saharan African hospices and hospices abroad. Hospice programs in the U.S. are encouraged to raise funds to assist their partners financially. Any money that is sent is deposited directly, safely and securely. In the past we have purchased educational CDs through our National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and have mailed the CD's to Knysna. We also collected craft items for the children. These items were delivered directly by a group from Northern Illinois University traveling to South Africa.
Help is particularly important with the continued HIV/AIDS epidemic that kills more than 6,300 people daily in Sub-Saharan Africa. Money that we send will go to support the children's support groups who regularly attend for some much needed social interaction and fun. The children have parents who have died or are dying. The groups are invaluable in terms of the children's well-being. Other programs will be assisted as funds are raised.
DCH has been raising funds by making jewelry from paper beads purchased from the Bead For Life Project. (These beads are made by Ugandan women and sold through Bead For Life to help bring them out of poverty.) Several volunteers have been meeting periodically to make the jewelry, which has been sold at various functions. Sales from baked goods at Pumpkin Festival have also provided funding for Knysna Hospice.
If you are interested in learning more about our hospice partner go to their web site at www.hospiceknysna.org.za.
