Care for terminally ill patients in Swaziland, southern Africa

An International Ecumenical AIDS Project coordinated by the

Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem

Swaziland is a small, independent country (population - 950,000, geographical size of Connecticut) located in southern Africa It ranks as one of the 4 countries with the highest prevalence of HIV - AIDS in Africa.

Approximately one third of the pregnant women in the country are

HIV positive. In 2000, about 12,000 patients will have died from AIDS complications- 33 each day! Estimated number of AIDS orphans - >70,000.

While support from beyond Swaziland has increased during the past year, many donors have focused attention and resources on the larger countries of the region. Therefore the overall support necessary to permit adequate response to the many aspects of the AIDS epidemic in Swaziland is recognized to be quite inadequate.

The most serious and most neglected consequences of the epidemic are:

a/ those persons with AIDS who are terminally ill; and

b/ AIDS orphans - the children of mothers and parents who have

already died from consequences of HIV related infections.

The Swaziland AIDS 2001 Hospice Project

In response to requests from the three Swazi hospice organizations to provide supplies for the rapidly growing number of hospice patients, this ecumenical project, coordinated by the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, has active involvement and support from St Lukes Hospital, the Rotary Club of Bethlehem, Trinity Episcopal Church and Central Moravian Church. Bethlehem, the Bethlehem Council of Churches and several Lutheran pastors and congregations in the region. Many churches, interested individuals and organizations are involved in a project to collect and to ship donated hospice supplies.

Goal: Provide, for a 12 month period:

- essential hospice supplies for 3 hospice organizations

- the cost of palliative medicine for Swaziland Hospice at Home

· Donations of Comfort Packs - to provide to the three organizations which attempt to provide basic needs to enhance the comfort of individual hospice patients in home settings. The contents of 'Comfort Packs' is based on recommendations and requests from Swaziland. A Comfort Pack will be given to each patient at the time of the first hospice visit.

Target is 1200 Packs

· Donations of money for medicine - to provide palliative medications for hospice patients

Target is $12,000

Hospice at Home expects to assist an estimated 500 patients who will receive hospice care during 2001.

Contents of an adult Comfort Pack:

2 blankets 3/4 or larger size 1 wash cloth

2 sweaters (S, M, L, or XL) 5 bars of soap

2 T shirts ( S, M, L) 2 pairs of socks (any adult size)

1 large towel 1 tooth brush, tooth paste

Note Please note that the clothing and towels do not have

to be new. Used, clean items are quite satisfactory.

Donations of multiple components of incomplete Packs are also welcome.

Instructions for pack preparation

Fold items compactly and insert in a sturdy plastic lawn bag

Insert a 3 x 5 inch 'Gift Card' with the clothing

Fold the excess parts of the plastic bag to adhere closely to the

contents.

Encircle the bag tightly with strong, wide tape

Indicate the contents of the bag with a label on the outside

A GIFT FROM

____________________

Gift Card à

Feel free to add any comments on your gift card. (It is unlikely that the acknowledgment by the recipient is possible.)

However, be reminded that these items could probably be the most significant gift the person would ever receive.

Donated Comfort Packs are welcome between January 1 and February 15, any time between 10 AM and 2 PM, Monday through Friday, in the Parish House of the Trinity Episcopal Church, 44 East Market Street, Bethlehem, PA.

Just inside the front door turn left into a short hall.

Place the Comfort Pack on the mail table in the hall.

Donations of money for palliative medications may be sent via check payable to "Diocese of Bethlehem - Swaziland Hospice Account" and mailed to: Diocese of Bethlehem 333 Wyandotte St, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Please enclose your name and address to permit acknowledgement. Thank you!!

For further information or printed background information about the project, please phone the Bethlehem Council of Churches

610-867-8671

On behalf of the hospice patients and their families, please accept their genuine thanks.

N Wallace, Medical Missioner, Diocese of Bethlehem