Introduction

1. What is your name?

Happiness Biyela

2. Which hospice do you work for?

Zululand Hospice Association

 3. What do you do there?

I am a care worker

4. How long have you been there?

Eight years

In depth

1. Why did you decide to focus on palliative care?

I like to assist patients and their families by educating them. If they get better it is great but if they die it is with dignity, pain free and in a comfortable, clean environment.

2. What do you find the most challenging?

What makes me sad is the poverty – no food, no transport money to collect medication and basics.

 3. What do you think people find the most challenging about a life-threatening diagnosis and what do you think that you personally bring to your job that reflects who you are as a person?

I think the most challenging for patients is to accept their illness, but I help by listening and care for them.

 4. What do you like the most about the hospice that you work with?

What I find at my hospice is good spirit , no racism and rural and town patients all cared for in the same manner.

5. Do you have a “motto” that you tend to live by that you would like to share?

Simunye  Singanqoba – Together we can Conquer.