Spiritual Care for Bolivia's End-of-Life Initiative

Hello, my name is Sport. Six years ago, Erika and I left our careers (me as a Hospice Chaplain, Erika in Public Health) to return her parents to their homeland of Bolivia. Together we created the country’s first In-Home Palliative Care model, training Bolivian nurses in both palliative and Alzheimer’s care.

Today, Erika’s parents receive 24/7 care from a dedicated team of 3 nurses and 1 doctor — a living testimony to what compassionate, team-based care can provide.

Bolivia, however, is still in the infancy of its palliative care development. Most people there have little to no access to even moderate pain management at the end of life. And if they manage to reach a hospital, it is often too late — their pain has already become unmanageable for too long. Many never make it that far. Beyond the physical, there is no cultural or systemic understanding of spiritual care at the end of life. People are dying with or without medications, often isolated in their suffering. The most humane thing we can do is learn to be with them in that final journey, humanizing them by attending to their emotional and spiritual pain as well — becoming a friend of their souls before and as they cross.

This year, Bolivia’s National Palliative Care Initiative has invited me to present at their 6th National Congress on Palliative Care (Nov 13–15, 2025). I will be sharing how to integrate spiritual care into emerging models of end-of-life care across Bolivia and South America.

Erika will be at my side as translator, and together we’ll represent the United States among presenters from Spain, Argentina, and Mexico.

Conferences like this in South America are not government-funded, so travel and lodging are not provided. Our goal is to raise $3,750 to cover flights, lodging, meals, visas, and GoFundMe fees.

We would be honored if you would partner with us in this opportunity to serve — helping ensure that spiritual care becomes an integral part of palliative care in Bolivia and beyond. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference.

Thank you for believing in this work, and for helping us bring peace and compassion to those facing life’s final journey.