Goals: To provide quality palliative care and pain management to orphaned and abandoned young children with a loving, homely environment at no cost. To advocate for the rights of children with complex medical conditions to be adopted or placed in loving alternative homes instead of institutanalised care and prolonged hospitalisation. To educate members of the public about children's palliative care and the rights of children to be afforded loving care and dignity in death.
SouthAfrica has a one of the highest rates of child abandonment in the world. Experts estimate that nearly 3500 children survive abandonment in South Africa every year. For every one child found alive, two or more found dead . Children with life limiting conditions and severe disabilities are among the most vulnerable of these. Caregivers are often single, teenaged mothers or aged grandmothers already overwhelmed by the burden of poverty, not able to cope with ill child and abandonment follows.
Butterfly Home provide shelter and cares for those suffering a life threatening illness (such as cancer or aids) and their families whether in hospital or at home, and those have been bereaved. The multidisciplanary care focuses on pain control and relief of any distressing symptoms. The psycho-social care addresses any of the emotional, educational, and spiritual issues that one may need to deal with when confronted with either serious illness or possibly the end of one's life, or bereavement.
The project is to promote the public awareness that our lives should be measured by its quality and not merely the length. We strive to improve the quality of life whatever the circumstances, including the abandoned children in poor countries. Our vision is to provide access to quality interdisciplanary expert palliative and bereavement care, to reduce suffering and pain, and to improve the quality of life for children with complex medical conditions, as well as their families.
