Hospice Kit Project

The HIV/AIDS epidemic has added enormous challenges to health care world wide. Missionaries, their health care worker colleagues, and patients' families in third world countries must provide daily care to AIDS patients who suffer from the symptoms of a devasting, end stage disease. There is pain, nausea, diarrhea, skin eruptions, to name a few. It is not a disease we can ignore - and it is not going away. But what can we do to help? An AIDS/Hospice Kit can provide cleanliness and comfort and hope. Our prayers and generosity can reach far into the lives of those who have been affected. As you pack the kit, pray for the church visitation teams and medical professionals who provide spiritual and medical care and place the kits in the hands of those who are affected by AIDS.

NEED FOR HOSPICE KITS GROWS!
GHM has approved support for a dedicated 20' container of hospice kits for the ELCT Hospice/Palliative Care Program in Tanzania. Read more in the January-February 2009 Newsletter. The goal is to collect over 7,000 hospice kits and funds to cover shipping costs by April 2009! Please contact the GHM Office for additional information or questions on this exciting project and opportunity.

View/download a PDF version of the Hospice Kit brochure.

Assembling the Kits

Contents
New or gently used:

  • 1 regular size bath towel
  • 1 wash cloth

New items:

  • 1 bath size bar of hand soap (wrapped) - any kind
  • 1 toothbrush
  • 1 tube tooth paste, medium or large (or two small sample sizes) - any kind
  • 1 "pick" comb (see illustration)
  • 1 nail clipper
  • 6 Band-Aids
  • 1 jar or tube of petroleum jelly
  • 1 pair heavy duty household gloves (kitchen type) size: medium
  • 1 small devotional booklet such as Portals of Prayer or Christ in our Home (does not have to be current issue)

Assembling Instructions

  1. Wrap all items in the towel
  2. Place in large (2 gallon or larger) "Ziploc" plastic bag
  3. Include note: "AIDS/Hospice Kit"
    The note should be visible through the bag
  4. Squeeze the air out of the bag before sending
  5. Pack 10-15 kits to a box

Shipping the Kits

Assembled kits can be sent to GHM for inclusion in shipment overseas. Please send to:

Global Health Ministries
7831 Hickory Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55432

Helpful Hints and Money-Saving Ideas

The more you save, the more kits you can make!

  • Check with local hotel or hospital about towels and wash cloths
  • Check with local dentist about toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Look for gloves, comb, nail clippers, petroleum jelly, bar soap, Band-Aids at "Dollar Store"
  • Check with church secretary about extra devotional booklets