Julie gave an enthusiastic talk on the unique model of care Dove Hospice provides across the Auckland region.

Julie said back in 1989 the Eastern Bays’ community identified the need for a local hospice type facility so following a tremendous amount of hard work in 1992 the then named Eastern Bays’ Hospice became a registered charity.  In 1999 the Hospice building opened in the grounds of St Andrews Village providing a day care facility for 14 patients.

It was quickly identified that it did not want to duplicate services that were being provided by Mercy Hospice and identified a gap in what was being funded by government and what patients needed such as end of life versus life threatening illness.

It became apparent there was a need to focus on holistic wellness and emotional support so in 2001 the beginning of the Dove Model of Care was implemented. In 2006 Dove Hospice expanded its building and renamed Dove House in 2014/5.     

Dove Hospice philosophy of care is a whole person approach - physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs. The services predominantly focus on supporting patients and their families with end of life care and acute symptom management at the end stage of their life.

Dove Hospice receives no direct government funding and nearly all of their funds is being generated from the Dove Hospice shops. It costs $1.5-$2m year to run the Wellness Services  (curative outcome), chronic support services which may be for months or years, palliative care services, and support for carers and bereaved and respite and end of life inpatient care if required.

Glen presented an entertaining snapchat of her 6years living in Brunei in 1975.  Glen talked about how formal Brunei was with no short skirts or hair curlers allowed in public and how their first accommodation only had two single beds so they had to lash them together to make a double bed. Only those further up the hierarchy were allowed to have a double bed.  Glen said there was no law and order in Brunei as is governed under Sharia law, a strict Islamic penal code.  Cars arrived in crates and that’s where the Malaysian word for car originated i.e. Kereta Monsoon drains lay on either side of the road- traffic control were monkeys crossing and the only person allowed to speed was the Sultan who had a garage of Lamborghinis. Life revolved around endless dinner parties and curry lunches beside the bank manager's pool with endless gin and tonics!!

 

I recently spent five weeks in the San Francisco Bay Area (which includes Silicon Valley). As you will know, this is a spot renowned for its technology innovation/startups. It was more-or-less the same price for me to travel to Madagascar via San Francisco, compared with flying directly to Madagascar and with a friends couch to crash on, I figured I might as well make the most of the opportunity to talk with some foundations and wealthy individuals.  I am now in Madagascar, and have been here for about one week.

Key Progress: 

Challenges:

Many Thanks to you all, 
Sam

A huge thank you for your support of our Helping Hands Build. Out team have really enjoyed working with you all, and your contribution has been massive in building this home for the Nikora family. We have also raised almost $100,000 in gifts in kind, sponsorship and cash donations. All has gone towards building this home, and will be recycled back into Habitat over the next 8 years as the family pay for their home and then finally purchase.

 

Thing is, we haven’t quite finished. So we are looking for anyone who may have time this week Monday15^th – Friday 19^th to help us complete the internal fit out. Shelving, kitchen, architrave, skirting boards, painting and general finishing all on the menu for anyone willing.

 

If you have any time, please contact Andrew Baker on 021922007   and let him know when you can help.

 

I have attached a short video from NZ Herald taken on site this week. Think it says very well what we do, why we do it, and what you have all achieved.