The Heart of Hospice in Botswana
Shared passion and shared struggles of palliative care across the globe.
By Nathan DeGodt, CEO, and Daniel Stephens, SVP, CHAP Center for Excellence
Last week, we had the privilege of representing CHAP at the African Palliative Care & Allied Services Conference and the Global Partners in Care (GPIC) gathering in Gaborone, Botswana. What began as a professional trip quickly became something deeper, a reminder of why we do this work, and a call to extend our hearts and hands beyond borders.
A Shared Struggle, A Shared Spirit
The conference drew participants from across Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond. Despite vast differences in geography and resources, a common refrain echoed through every conversation: the need for education, resources, and understanding. Whether in Botswana or the United States, patients resist the word hospice – and providers wrestle with how to help families embrace care that is not about giving up but about living with dignity.
“We realized we’re all carrying the same torch,” Nathan reflected. “Everyone is stuck trying to get the info and resources to those who need it most. Palliative care and hospice is a global community.”
Quality is a Bridge
This journey was also shaped by the presence of Dr. Daniel Maison, MD, FAAHPM, HMDC, one of CHAP’s board members and a long-standing advocate for hospice and palliative care. Dr. Maison has served on the Global Partners in Care Advisory Board since 2017, bringing with him decades of experience that places him at the crossroads of U.S. hospice development and the global effort to expand palliative care.
At the African Palliative Care Conference, Dr. Maison shared CHAP’s perspective on why quality measures matter — no matter the setting or stage of development. His presentation connected the conversations in Botswana with the broader work of ensuring that patients and families everywhere can count on consistent, high-quality care.
Reflecting on the experience, Dr. Maison described what it meant to witness such alignment across continents: “The challenges may take different forms, but the passion, commitment, and mission are completely shared. What struck me most was how much more we had in common than what divided us — and how universal the ultimate goal is: providing the best care possible to patients and families, how they want it, when they want it, and where they want it.”
Our Visit to Holy Cross Hospice
One of the most humbling experiences of the trip was our visit to Holy Cross Hospice in Gaborone. The hospice has just four beds—some broken- and serves less as a medical facility and more as a shelter. Volunteers prepare meals, and patients come for comfort, companionship, and whatever care can be provided. As the founder told us, “We are beggars. We beg for everything we have.”
Daniel: “I met a woman who had been abandoned by her family yet found belonging at Holy Cross. She asked me to pray for her, not just once, but continually, even after I returned home. I promised her I would, and I keep her name in my prayer list. It broke my heart to see people in survival mode, still giving everything they have to care for those who are dying.”
Nathan: “On a home visit, I met a man battling pancreatic cancer, living in a single room with his daughter and granddaughter. The entire family was surviving together in a space smaller than most hotel rooms. It really humbles you when you see something like that. Those four or five hours were the most meaningful part of the entire trip for me.”
Professional and Personal Takeaways
For us, this trip was both a reset and a reminder. Seeing care delivered with so few resources revealed how much work is still ahead; we may have believed we were further along globally, but in truth, we are only at the beginning of what needs to be done. At the same time, the experience underscored the unity we share with providers everywhere. We returned from Africa with a renewed commitment to the “why” behind CHAP’s mission: to advance the highest quality of home and community-based care.
Building Bridges Beyond Borders
At the GPIC gathering, leaders spoke about building resources, recognizing excellence, fostering mentorship, and supporting local research. Each of these themes points to the same truth: advancing palliative care requires more than funding; it requires connection.
For us at CHAP, that means sharing everything we have. Our standards are freely available, and we believe they can serve as a roadmap for countries and organizations seeking to strengthen care. This isn’t about business; it’s about walking alongside others, offering mentorship, and contributing to a global community committed to dignity at the end of life.
What You Can Do
If these stories move you, there are two ways to help right now:
- Mentor and Get Involved: GPIC’s Tipping Point Initiative is seeking experienced mentors to walk alongside leaders in emerging programs.
- Donate: Holy Cross Hospice in Botswana welcomes donations, best directed through GPIC to ensure they reach those in greatest need.
Our Why
This journey to Africa reminded us that palliative care is both a local effort and a global community. Being there reconnected us to the mission of why we remain in community-based care; it’s about starting with the “why” and keeping it at the center of everything we do. What struck us most was how everyone we met had the same passion for end-of-life care, regardless of resources. Some had barely enough bread to share, while others had strong support and funding behind them, yet all were united in the same fight: to bring dignity, comfort, and compassion to every person, everywhere.
Interested in mentoring or donating?