Global Partners in Care has announced that its partners, Caring Circle (located in southwest Michigan) and Our Lady’s Hospice Kenya (located in Thigio, Kenya), are the recipients of the 2019 Global Partnership Award.
The Global Partnership Award, which has been awarded nine times, is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of a partnership that has demonstrated core values of a true partnership: commitment to building a strong relationship, partner collaboration, staff contribution and commitment, and community outreach and involvement. The award comes with a $500 donation to the international partner.
“Caring Circle has shown what a tremendous impact one partnership can have in the delivery of palliative care. The commitment they have made to Our Lady’s Hospice has made a lasting effect on the patients and families needing palliative care.” said Mark Murray, President/CEO of Global Partners in Care.
The partnership was formed in 2017 and since its inception has successfully brought these two organizations together through monthly video calls and countless emails. These connections give them the opportunity to share the challenges and joys of their work, and to share ideas to help Our Lady’s Hospice continue to serve their community. Caring Circle has an active partnership committee, led by social worker Kunga Drotos. In fact, the partners have already collaborated on exchange visit to Kenya, as well as a visit to Michigan by Sr. Deborah Mallot, director of Our Lady’s Hospice. These person-to-person interactions have brought a depth to the partnership and to the relationships of the staffs from both organizations.
Caring Circle has engaged their community in fundraising efforts, which gives them opportunities to share Our Lady’s Hospice’s story and their perspective on providing end-of-life care to those in under-resourced, under-served areas near Nairobi. These efforts, along with participation from Caring Circle employees, has resulted in funding for Our Lady’s Hospice which assists the Kenyan hospice in providing compassionate care to those in need.
“Our staff was overwhelmed that people cared enough about them and wanted to better their hospice,” said Sr. Deborah. She added, “these visits are so important for our staff to be able to see what is possible in the future.”
There is a clear sense of mutual respect and trust between these partners. As they continue to move forward with their partnership mission “to bring professional, educational, and financial support to Our Lady’s Hospice in Kenya,” more good work will result.
Global Partners in Care congratulates Caring Circle and Our Lady’s Hospice Kenya for their outstanding commitment to their partnership and for making a lasting impact on palliative care in Africa.