SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Compassus recently sent a team of 12 volunteers, including social worker Reva Davis of Springfield, to assist Living Hope, the company’s sister hospice program in Cape Town, South Africa. The Compassus interdisciplinary team, which included physicians, registered nurses, a hospice aide, social worker, bereavement coordinator, chaplain and corporate colleague, spent a week in Cape Town working side-by-side with Living Hope clinicians.
“What surprised me the most is how similar we are to people on the other side of the world,” said Davis. “Living Hope caregivers are committed to taking excellent care of their communities, offering comprehensive care that treats the entire person: mind, body and spirit. Compassus is committed to the same mission.”
Through a partnership started in 2011, Compassus donates monetary aid, medical supplies and health care expertise to support Living Hope’s health care and hospice services in the impoverished township communities of Cape Town. Compassus matches voluntary employee donations to the dollar and last year raised more than $73,000 for the ministry-based nonprofit.
“I was also amazed by the compassion and dedication of the Living Hope team,” continued Davis. “Throughout the trip I realized many of the patients we observed would not have much hope for a better future without Living Hope. I am deeply grateful to their team for the work they do and honored to provide quality care here in the U.S.”
Living Hope offers health care services, counseling and education to more than 200,000 underprivileged residents in Cape Town. Its programs focus on improving general health and hospice care, HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and economic empowerment. Living Hope provides health care for more than 36,000 South Africans annually through in-home visits, medical clinics and a 22-bed inpatient hospice center.
“Compassus has a calling to deliver compassionate care not only in our local communities but around the world. Serving alongside Living Hope allows us the opportunity to live out this higher purpose,” said Amy Winburn, executive director for Compassus – Springfield. “We are proud of our team and the work they do for the people of South Africa and hope it inspires others to join the effort to advance the well-being of those facing life-limiting illnesses.”
For more information about Compassus, visit our Springfield, Missouri page or call (417) 882-0453.
