Hello to all our supporters, my name is Cameron and since October I have been the Operations Director at Cairdeas. This has been a busy and exciting time and I’d like to thank all the Cairdeas team for making the transition as smooth as possible. In February, I was given the opportunity to travel to Kerala, India with Cairdeas to help run the final week of the Compassionate Leadership Fellowship (CLF). This has been a year-long program of teaching and mentorship for palliative care clinicians from India, Nepal, Kenya and Rwanda, aimed at developing their leadership skills and achieving personal learning growth. Dr Mhoira and Dr Chitra have been working so hard all year as course coordinators and it was a great privilege to be brought in to help with this last module.

After a couple of days shaking off jet lag and getting used to the Indian heat, we travelled to Thiruvalla, where the course would be taking place at Believer’s Church Medical College Hospital (BCMCH), one of our partner organisations in India. Before the module week began, I was given the chance to join the palliative care team at BCMCH as they made their morning rounds. This was an illuminating first look at healthcare in foreign context for me, and the team discussed with me the importance of spiritual support in their palliative care, as part of their care for the patient’s ‘total pain’, encompassing physical, spiritual, emotional and psychological pain. We also spent time discussing the roles of families in patient care, and the difficulties this can present when clinicians’ and families’ priorities do not align, e.g. a family not wishing a doctor to tell a patient they have cancer to protect their emotions.

On the eve of the course I started to meet the mentors and fellows who had travelled from near and far for the CLF. I had been nervous about this trip and joining a group of people I had never met before, but this quickly disappeared as I was welcomed in so warmly by all. My role during the week was partly IT, partly logistics and a good amount of problem solving, all aimed at keeping everything running smoothly to facilitate teaching and learning.

The CLF utilises a variety of teaching styles to allow all fellows to learn in their way, having spent time during Module 1 using tools such as Myers-Briggs, KELP and LPI to allow self-examination and recognition of one’s own learning style. Group tasks throughout the week highlighted the varying styles of the fellows; some were very reflective, considering problems and imagining solutions before they acted, others were highly active, launching into tasks and solving problems as they went. It was fascinating to observe the interplay between these styles in group settings and how the fellows managed their different ideas of how to approach a task. I was able to take part in some tasks and landed slightly more on the ‘think first, then act’ side of the equation. It’s a great strength of the CLF program that fellows are first forced to look at themselves and their own learning and leadership style before moving on to teaching practical skills, allowing for richer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses when approaching a task.

After a year of getting the know one another, the bonds between the fellows and mentors, and the fellows with each other, was tangible, buoyed by their knowledge of each other’s learning styles and personality types. Tasks were frequently discussed retrospectively (often over wonderful Kerala cuisine), with fellows examining who had thrived or found themselves outside their comfort zones. The transformational growth the fellows have experienced over the year was highlighted by the willingness to jump into tasks that were outside of their comfort zone. For example, Biju, a kind and reserved fellow, took on the role of a hard-lined medical director facing disgruntled employees during a role-playing negotiation exercise. The fellows continually spoke about the growth and development they saw in themselves owing to the CLF, and it was heartening to see the fruits of the hard work put in by the CLF team to plan, fund and organise this course over the past few years.

Having developed their understanding of the characteristics of leadership and understanding oneself as a leader in the previous modules, this module focused on developing practical skills to allow the fellows to put their understanding into practice and become changemakers in compassionate care. Throughout the week, mentors provided expert teaching on strategic planning, circles of influence and control, negotiation skills, presentation and public speaking skills and the use of storytelling and AI in social media marketing. Fellows were presented with tasks ranging from planning grant applications for palliative care facilities in rural Nepal to negotiating a price for stolen (and imaginary!!) iPhones. Fellows were also given the chance to review their leadership development over the past year and make poster presentations on their growth, which were displayed in the entrance lobby at BCMCH. The wide range of skills the fellows gained throughout the week will serve them well as they go back into their work lives and strive to be compassionate leaders in palliative care. Strategic planning was a particularly eye-opening session, with plans to change the world found to be constrained by budget, time and attainability. It will be exciting to see the journeys our CLF family go on in their careers, and their communities will be truly blessed to have such committed, hard-working, caring and compassionate leaders in their midst.

The week culminated in the valedictory ceremony, where the fellows each had a chance to speak and present about their personal and professional journey and growth, over the past year and their lifetimes. This was a beautiful and emotional morning of sharing between friends and colleagues; stories of hardships and disappointments, overcoming challenges and achieving dreams. Sharing personal stories was the final glue which truly connected the group on an intimate level and there were more than a few tears shed. The whole CLF family spoke of what a powerful and inspiring time they had together, and took home with them memories, friendships and leadership skills for life.

I want to truly thank Dr Mhoira and Cairdeas for inviting me to be a part of such a wonderful and memorable two weeks, and to all the fellows and mentors of the CLF for welcoming me into their family. It was a fantastic experience which will serve me well for many years to come, both through the teaching of the CLF mentors and the experiences of traveling and working in an international context. The CLF is a fantastic program with passionate, knowledgeable people behind it and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our fellows and for the communities they serve.

Special thanks go to all of our partners who helped to make the Compassionate Leadership Fellowship possible: Believers Church Medical College Hospital (BCMCH), Cairdeas International Palliative Care Trust (Cairdeas IPCT), Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh (UoE), the Indian Association of Palliative Care (IAPC), and RMD Trust.

Meet Phillip Amol Kuol, one of our Cairdeas scholars! Phillip is currently in third year at Uganda Christian University in Arua, studying for his Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Social Administration. We asked Phillip to share some of his story and his plans for the future.

I am a committed individual originally from South Sudan but currently residing in Northern Uganda. I have faced significant challenges, growing up as a refugee due to conflict in my home country. Despite these hardships, I have been relentless in the pursuit of education and am currently in the third year of study for my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration and I have a great passion for serving my community.

I began my journey by working as a translator in Nyumanzi refugee settlement in Adjumani district, assisting South Sudanese refugee patients in Nyumanzi Health Center, and in the community. This position allowed me to develop a strong connection with the healthcare system. My interactions with healthcare professionals, particularly those focused on palliative care, inspired me to pursue further training, such as holistic care and counselling.

Phillip shared more about his work in Palliative Care.

My dedication and interest in palliative care led me to volunteer for the Village Health Team palliative care training, under the Transform Project with Medical Team International. Here, I received extensive training that equipped me with the knowledge and skills to make a significant impact in my community, particularly in providing care and support to adolescents, the elderly, my fellow refugees and the host community of Adjumani district.

Due to the knowledge I gained from palliative care training with Peace Hospice Adjumani, I became a volunteer for youth advocacy and a peer educator at Reach a Hand Uganda, where I worked in WAY project (Women, Adolescents, Youths Rights and Empowerment programme), U-decide, and Generation Gender project.

I also became the Executive Director of Dongriin Foundation, which is a refugee led organization in Dzaipi Sub County in Adjumani District. This has also added more capacity building, empowerment skills, experiences and knowledge to my growth.

Phillip went on to discuss his education and shared how the Cairdeas scholarship has helped him in pursuit of his goals.

My commitment to social work caught the attention of Cairdeas, an organization dedicated to promoting high-quality palliative care in resource-limited settings. Through their scholarship program, I was able to pursue a diploma in social work and social administration at Uganda Christian University (UCU). Unfortunately, the Adjumani Teaching Centre branch of UCU closed, leading me to continue with my studies at the UCU Arua Campus.

I am currently in the third year, second semester as a Bachelor's student at Uganda Christian University in Arua, Uganda. My coursework not only focuses on social work but also includes social administration and community health. I am deeply committed to my education, and to improving the lives of the voiceless in my community and promoting peaceful co-existence among youths, particularly within the refugee and host communities.

I wish to appreciate the team of Cairdeas for their great support rendered to me, I will give it back to my community and the world at large. I hope this support will continue to bring up more youths, to change my community and the world at large.

Finally, Phillip shared his plans for the future.

I wish to continue with my education up to Master’s so that I can add more knowledge through developing my career. I wish to work with authorities like Cairdeas and international organizations so that I will have more skills to become an international youth advocate. Besides, I would like to become an international worker so that I can also support refugees from other parts of the world as a way of giving back.

My journey is a remarkable testament to resilience, dedication, and the spirit of giving back to the community. My experiences and future aspirations demonstrate my unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around me.

If you would like to know more about Phillip's work, please email us at operations@cairdeas.org.uk

Our Medical Director, Dr Mhoira Leng, shares her end of year reflections for 2024.

As the year draws to a close let me take a moment to reflect.

At this time, many of us will be singing Christmas carols, and a much loved favourite is O Little Town of Bethlehem. The carol focuses on the events in the town of Bethlehem over 2000 years ago that would have historical and global significance. This part of the world was experiencing conflict, occupation, forced displacement, the killing of children and fear…then and now. Perhaps you will remember the powerful image from the Christian Church in Bethlehem of the nativity with the baby amidst the rubble wrapped in a kufiyeh and Rev Munther Isaac’s sermon; 'Christ under the rubble'. 

As the carol says; ‘the hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight’

With devastating and ongoing conflicts affecting our partners in Gaza and the rest of Palestine as well as in Sudan our hearts are heavy. We have heard from Dr Khamis Elessi and other dear friends who continue to offer care to patients and families even as their own families are struggling to simply survive. We mourn the killing of dear friends and colleagues and the almost total devastation and destruction of the health system, the education system, systematic starvation alongside everything needed for life and for dignity. We are aghast as international and humanitarian laws are seemingly ignored and the whole foundation of our world order is under threat. When the voice of peace and hope seems unheard and ignored it can seem as though humanity itself is under threat.

Words from Munda Nasser, written in Advent reflections from Bethlehem, have been a support for me. She speaks of hope and reflects on these bible verses; ‘For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what one already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.’ ROMANS 8:24-25. She says; ‘The Christmas story is a reminder for humanity all over the world to reorient its compass and ask: What can we do to build hope, to reconstruct it collectively? Sumud forms our collective Palestinian response to the everyday systematic oppressions that we go through. It forms our stand and our journey toward what we cannot see. It forms our inability to sit with hopelessness —it is a way of saying that hope will always have the final word.’

So what gives me hope as I look back on 2024. I see the amazing way Cairdeas partners are working in challenging situations where resources are constrained and needs can be overwhelming. I see the innovation, resilience and compassion to deliver training, research and clinical care in Uganda, Sudan, Gaza, Mauritania and India. We read the essays from medical students reflecting on holistic care learning in the midst of conflict in Gaza. We hear of the impact our Scholarships have had for inspirational colleagues such as Toko, Vicky, Liz, Philip and Ronald in Uganda. Our Compassionate Leadership Fellows in India are being transformed and already putting their learning into practice. (Please go back and listen to the videos from our Cairdeas Gathering to be inspired)  I am humbled by the many who give their time and expertise in the Cairdeas Faculty and those who give, volunteer, pray and support in so many other ways.

At the heart of Cairdeas is the dignity of the people who face each day living with serious illness and who walk in the twilight days of their lives. Palliative care seeks to accompany people on that journey and focus on listening to concerns, alleviating suffering, supporting quality of life, promoting dignity and being in solidarity for justice. This is the heart of compassionate palliative care. This is the heart of humanity.

Let me mention one project we are focussing on this year for funding support. ‘Sunshine During War’ was formed by Dr Nahla Gafer and colleagues from Sudan in partnership with Sanad Home Hospice Care in Lebanon and CairdeasIPCT. It has brought psychological support for staff, patients and families, offered clinical mentorship and expert support and helped to sustain services within war torn Sudan through practical help for internet access, travel and even at times food and basic living needs. We are now extending this to include Gaza - led by Mervat Hammad, one of our Diploma students, now in Egypt. We will be sharing more of this project soon. Let us hear from Nahla…

‘Yes, we helped them, they needed us, but also, we needed to preserve the work that we had started; we needed to help our patients. It is part of who we are. This way we are really healing, caring and humane health professionals.’

Please consider gifting towards this programme now or in the future. You can do so here.

So wherever you are and however you are feeling at this time of year may we all be inspired, renewed, energised and encouraged to live with hope in hearts full of gratitude.