Testimonials

daughter of a former patient describes what Hospice Africa Uganda and the power of the ethos meant to her, “They allow us to explain everything and they listen. We don’t even call them doctors; we call them family members. The way they treat us is like family.”[i]

French Volunteer, 2016. “It was a highly rich human and spiritual experience. Going for clinical home visits and hospital visits in the three sites and witnessing the efforts of the clinical teams to bring relief and raise dignity to the people living in terrible pain, and at times harsh poverty, was such a humbling and learning experience. I always felt immensely grateful to be allowed to experience this. I felt I was very well supported and cared for by Dr Anne, the team of International Programmes and Hospice in general.” – 

“Some experiences stay with you. They leave an imprint so deep and strong it never fades but becomes a companion, maybe even a lens through which to look at life differently. Such was my visit to Hospice Africa in Uganda. It became something more than a mere memory or photo album. It opened a door onto a world where the most abject of poverty meshed cruelly with the appalling physical pain of end-stage AIDS and cancer.  Into that tangle of lives lived someplace beyond despair or hope, came help and care and God help us, love. That help was and is Hospice Africa. The brainchild of Dr. Anne Merriman, in the  very best of Irish missionary tradition, a new concept of end-of life care took root in Africa. It has spread these past twenty years bringing dignity in dying and death to the most overlooked and neglected  of our human family. It offers an expert professional health-care service wrapped up in a charism of loving service to men, women and children  who were once condemned to travel alone  through their short suffering-filled lives. Now there is company of life’s journey right to the end, when pain is dulled, a hand is held, and a life ebbs to a close knowing it was valued, knowing it mattered. I am so proud of the Irish roots and heart of Hospice Africa and congratulate all those who have  worked for it  these past two decades in whatever way they made their contribution.  May the work flourish in the decades ahead bringing the balm of hospice care where it is desperately needed.” Mary McAleese, Former President of Ireland (2001)

Patient describes what Hospice Africa Uganda has meant to her. Diagnosed with advanced breast cancer, she left after a mastectomy was suggested. Falling very ill, she returned and received chemotherapy and a mastectomy.  Despite the treatment, there is nothing more that can be done. Although she is dying, she discusses why she is grateful. (2018)

2018, French Volunteer, blog entry “Trying to share a feeling: 4 months in Uganda.”

“Thousands of flowers bloom wherever she (Merriman)  has walked in life. She is one of those lucky ones who can say they have had a positive impact for the betterment of mankind.”- Jan Stjersward, MD, PhD, FRCP (Edin)

 

 

 


[i] Murray, Eugene. (2012) Uganda: No Country For Old Men, documentary video.