Help Hospice Patients Like Maureen
Tax deductible
As a journalist based in East Africa, I have seen the depths of human tragedy in my work; I’ve also met those who shine as rays of hope amidst unimaginable injustice. Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (RHHJ) is one of those places.
Maureen's story
I met the staff at RHHJ while reporting on the breakdown of Uganda's only radiotherapy machine, which left thousands of patients waiting to die of treatable forms of cancer. During that reporting trip, I met Maureen, the woman featured in the video "She Came to Jinja".
On a sweltering afternoon in southern Uganda, I sat down with Maureen and listened to her story. She told me she was HIV positive and was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer leaving her weak and unable to work or seek medical treatment.
After the interview, Maureen asked if she could sing me a song -- the same one in the film. She told me she had learned it in school -- far before she contracted HIV. Tears streamed down my face as she sang. It felt like such a tragedy.
But RHHJ stepped in and helped Maureen heal and return to life. And as you'll see in our film, it made all the difference.
Maureen in the early stages of receiving HIV and cancer treatment from RHHJ.
Maureen 1.5 years later in the RHHJ office in Jinja, Uganda.
Katie Nelson and Maureen after her interview in Jinja, Uganda.
About RHHJ
Founded in 2005, RHHJ is a nonprofit organization providing pain and end-of-life care to hundreds of patients with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses in southern Uganda. They work with some of the most complicated and difficult cases in the country, all free of charge.
Currently, only 11 percent of palliative care patients in Uganda have access to hospice services, leaving thousands waiting to die in their homes with little medical oversight or pain management medication. For those with life-threatening conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS, the transition from life to death can be incredibly painful, undignified and expensive. That’s where RHHJ comes in.
Their team of licensed staff offer patients - and their families – individualized, at-home medical and holistic care, pain management medication, counseling and financial support to more than 1083 patients every year. But more so, their 24-person team offers patients a sense of comfort and peace in knowing they are being cared for professionally – and with dignity – during this difficult time.
But hospice is not only for people with fatal illnesses. RHHJ also offers bereavement and family counseling services, food and medical equipment support (such as wheelchairs), preventative care, funds for children’s school fees, housing assistance and other emergency services that help a patient’s family cope with the incredible financial, emotional and physical toll this transitional period has in their life.
Supporting Patients like Maureen
As a journalist covering health disparities in East Africa for ten years, I have traveled alongside RHHJ and I have seen their life changing – and lifesaving – work firsthand. The story of Maureen - featured in this video - is one of many successful journeys from hospice to life again.
RHHJ is an outstanding organization with an incredibly selfless staff who use every single resource to the fullest. They have very little overhead and absolutely no ego – just incredible dedication and love for the community of Busoga, Uganda.
Given this unprecedented time in the world and the limited resources available, your donation will go much that much farther in providing much-needed medical care and support to some of the most vulnerable patients – and their families – in Uganda.
If you’ve ever had a family member in hospice, you know what a gift they are to you and your loved ones. Please consider offering that gift to others. Give to RHHJ today.
With love,
Katie G Nelson
Journalist, Photographer & Filmmaker in Nairobi, Kenya
Co-director of cinematographer of “She Came to Jinja”: A Telly Award winning short documentary, 2020.
*All photos were taken with permission from the patient and their family.
Maureen's story
I met the staff at RHHJ while reporting on the breakdown of Uganda's only radiotherapy machine, which left thousands of patients waiting to die of treatable forms of cancer. During that reporting trip, I met Maureen, the woman featured in the video "She Came to Jinja".
On a sweltering afternoon in southern Uganda, I sat down with Maureen and listened to her story. She told me she was HIV positive and was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer leaving her weak and unable to work or seek medical treatment.
After the interview, Maureen asked if she could sing me a song -- the same one in the film. She told me she had learned it in school -- far before she contracted HIV. Tears streamed down my face as she sang. It felt like such a tragedy.
But RHHJ stepped in and helped Maureen heal and return to life. And as you'll see in our film, it made all the difference.
Maureen in the early stages of receiving HIV and cancer treatment from RHHJ. Maureen 1.5 years later in the RHHJ office in Jinja, Uganda.Katie Nelson and Maureen after her interview in Jinja, Uganda.About RHHJ
Founded in 2005, RHHJ is a nonprofit organization providing pain and end-of-life care to hundreds of patients with life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses in southern Uganda. They work with some of the most complicated and difficult cases in the country, all free of charge.
Currently, only 11 percent of palliative care patients in Uganda have access to hospice services, leaving thousands waiting to die in their homes with little medical oversight or pain management medication. For those with life-threatening conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS, the transition from life to death can be incredibly painful, undignified and expensive. That’s where RHHJ comes in.
Their team of licensed staff offer patients - and their families – individualized, at-home medical and holistic care, pain management medication, counseling and financial support to more than 1083 patients every year. But more so, their 24-person team offers patients a sense of comfort and peace in knowing they are being cared for professionally – and with dignity – during this difficult time.
But hospice is not only for people with fatal illnesses. RHHJ also offers bereavement and family counseling services, food and medical equipment support (such as wheelchairs), preventative care, funds for children’s school fees, housing assistance and other emergency services that help a patient’s family cope with the incredible financial, emotional and physical toll this transitional period has in their life.
Supporting Patients like Maureen
As a journalist covering health disparities in East Africa for ten years, I have traveled alongside RHHJ and I have seen their life changing – and lifesaving – work firsthand. The story of Maureen - featured in this video - is one of many successful journeys from hospice to life again.
RHHJ is an outstanding organization with an incredibly selfless staff who use every single resource to the fullest. They have very little overhead and absolutely no ego – just incredible dedication and love for the community of Busoga, Uganda.
Given this unprecedented time in the world and the limited resources available, your donation will go much that much farther in providing much-needed medical care and support to some of the most vulnerable patients – and their families – in Uganda.
If you’ve ever had a family member in hospice, you know what a gift they are to you and your loved ones. Please consider offering that gift to others. Give to RHHJ today.
With love,
Katie G Nelson
Journalist, Photographer & Filmmaker in Nairobi, Kenya
Co-director of cinematographer of “She Came to Jinja”: A Telly Award winning short documentary, 2020.
*All photos were taken with permission from the patient and their family.
Fundraising team: Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (2)
Katie G. Nelson
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN
Friends of Reach Outs HIV-AIDS Africa Initiative Inc (Friends Of Reach Out)
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
Benedicte Christensen
Team member
