LEESPORT, Pa. – Compassus recently sent a team of 12 volunteers, including Deanne Pineiro of Leesport, Pennsylvania, to assist Living Hope, the company’s sister hospice program in Cape Town, South Africa. The Compassus interdisciplinary team, which included registered nurses, hospice aides, a social worker, volunteer coordinator, chaplain and other colleagues, spent a week in Cape Town working side by side Living Hope clinicians and administrators.
“The mission trip was an eye-opening experience,” said Pineiro, registered nurse case manager for Compassus – Leesport. “Often we become comfortable in our own way of life and forget how people struggle all around the world. It was inspiring to see the Living Hope team provide not only medical care but education to the residents of Cape Town so they can live a better life.”
Through an international partnership formed 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 dollar for dollar for total donations in 2018 of more than $123,000 to the ministry-based nonprofit.
“Living Hope is well known in the local villages and develops personal relationships with patients and families,” continued Pineiro. “Visiting the communities and seeing the Living Hope caregivers in action was amazing. I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to contribute.”
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.
“Compassion is at the heart of everything we do, and our compassion has an even broader impact when we have the opportunity to serve alongside Living Hope,” said Tracy Mason, executive director for Compassus – Leesport. “We are proud of our team and their work with the people of South Africa, and I hope it inspires others to join the effort to advance the well-being of those facing life-limiting illnesses.”
For more information visit our Leesport/Reading page or call (267) 781-7322.
