Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja

Shortly describe the history of the organisation, its main objectives and its main activities: With the vision of providing palliative care services in Busoga, Region Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja was started in 2005 by concerned community and religious leaders with support from Ministry of Health and Hospice Africa Uganda. The goal was to offer hospice and palliative care services through a program that would enhance, teach and promote palliative care in partnership with health care in district hospitals and clinics in Busoga Region. The RHHJ team has from 2006 received generous and continuous support from Hospice Jinja Project, Ireland. Their faithful support has ensured that RHHJ could continue services with qualified palliative care nurses and uninterrupted medical supplies and visit the patients’ homes. Since 2015 RHHJ has widened its activities from mainly focussing on physical pain management to a holistic palliative programme approach including food support, material assistance, school fee support to children who are sick themselves or have a sick parent, and even small houses when needed. Clients who have conditions which are thought to benefit from further diagnosis and treatment are given support as needed for them to become well again. During the last three years the management of RHHJ has developed significantly., especially since 2017 where the management with the assistance of The American Cancer Society’s SOURCE Programme has developed modern, relevant organizational documents for governance, operations and administration, finance, financial sustainability, and HR. Although still narrow, the funding base has expanded with attention to involve new donors and friends. The managerial strengthening is ongoing and will enable RHHJ to grow in order to meet the challenges of reaching our vision and mission. Rays of Hope got 100% in evaluation at American Cancer Societis 3-years course in organizational management - the SOURCE programme.