The Quiet Compassion of Hospice Ethiopia: Why End-of-Life Care Matters
20 July 2026
A Different Kind of Care
Many of us have experienced the profound impact of palliative care. Perhaps an elderly parent, grandparent or close friend received support during their final days. We know how much it means to have pain managed, emotional support available, and compassionate people walking alongside families through an incredibly difficult time.
Now imagine facing a terminal illness without access to any of that care.
For many people living in remote regions of Ethiopia, specialist palliative care simply isn't available. Pain often goes untreated, families receive little guidance, and patients can spend their final days without the comfort and dignity they deserve.
That's where Hospice Ethiopia is making a remarkable difference.
Building Better Palliative Care Across Ethiopia
Through our partnership with Hospice Ethiopia, Ethiopiaid Australia is helping strengthen palliative care services in regional hospitals across the country.
Together, we're supporting intensive training for 50 healthcare professionals—including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and social workers—equipping them with specialist skills in:
- Pain and symptom management
- Paediatric and geriatric care
- End-of-life care
- Emotional and psychological support
Importantly, the training doesn't stop in the classroom. Participants receive ongoing mentoring over three to five months, helping them apply their knowledge in real clinical settings while improving referral systems, teamwork, documentation and patient care.
This investment is helping create lasting improvements that will benefit countless patients and families for years to come.
Tsigereda's Story
One of the people benefiting from this compassionate care is 63-year-old Tsigereda.
After suffering a stroke, Tsigereda was left almost completely blind and unable to care for herself.
With the support of Hospice Ethiopia, she now receives pain management, essential medical supplies and practical care that allows her to remain at home with dignity. Just as importantly, her daughter has been given the training, guidance and support she needs to care for her mother safely and confidently.
It's a simple but powerful reminder that palliative care doesn't just support patients—it strengthens entire families.
A Legacy That Supports Those Most in Need
Every Gift in Will is deeply personal.
Some supporters choose to leave a gift for a specific area of Ethiopiaid Australia's work, while others choose to leave an unrestricted gift, allowing us to direct their legacy to where it is needed most.
That flexibility enables us to respond to changing needs and continue supporting trusted local partners like Hospice Ethiopia—organisations quietly transforming lives through compassionate care.
A Gift in Will can help ensure people like Tsigereda continue to receive comfort, dignity and support when they need it most, while also helping future generations access life-changing healthcare, education and community-led development.
If you're considering leaving a Gift in your Will, we'd be honoured to have a confidential conversation about how your legacy could continue changing lives for generations to come.
To learn more about leaving a Gift in your Will, visit our Gifts in Wills page, contact Sharon Elliott, CEO, on (03) 9864 6060, or email wills@ethiopiaid.org.au. We'd be pleased to answer any questions and discuss your wishes in confidence.
