Sister Jane Frances Nakafeero walks among graves in Nkokonjeru, Uganda.

Nakafeero is regional superior of the Little Sisters of St. Francis, a convent where aspiring nuns train and retired ones live. She points to headstones, naming the professions of the nuns buried there: nurse, teacher, social worker, doctor. The convent is the beginning and end for these women, but Nakafeero worries about their final years. Palliative care is a relatively new concept, emerging in the 1960s, and is underfunded and poorly understood, especially in the Church. African orders like the Little Sisters of St. Francis struggle to care for their elderly members. Young nuns look after the retired ones, but they lack resources: adult diapers, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and warm blankets. Nakafeero's concerns caught the attention of Jean Callahan, former chair of the Irish Hospice Foundation, at a meeting of the African Palliative Care Association in 2023. Callahan was moved by the stories of the nuns, reminded of her grandmother Sybil, who worked as a nun in Tanzania. The two women decided to start a pilot program to provide hospice support to aging nuns. The program, launched in September 2025, aims to cater to the nuns' medical and material needs, as well as provide psychological interventions and activities. Researchers are currently assessing the needs of 50 retired sisters, most from Uganda, but also from Kenya and Tanzania. The program's goal is to roll out palliative care in Ugandan convents by 2027 and eventually across the continent. Eve Namisango, director of the African Palliative Care Association, says the nuns deserve decent care after a lifetime of service. The Little Sisters of St. Francis is not alone in its struggles. Many African orders face similar challenges in caring for their elderly members. The problem is exacerbated by limited funding and a lack of understanding about palliative care. In the United States and Europe, palliative care is more established, and convents often have access to better resources. However, in Africa, the situation is dire. Many nuns are forced to rely on the charity of their communities or the limited resources of their orders. The pilot program launched by Nakafeero and Callahan offers a glimmer of hope. By providing training and resources, the program aims to improve the care of retired nuns and set a precedent for other orders. As the program moves forward, it will be crucial to address the underlying issues that have led to the neglect of elderly nuns. This includes increasing funding and awareness about palliative care, as well as challenging the attitudes that have allowed this situation to persist. The story of the Little Sisters of St. Francis serves as a reminder of the importance of caring for those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. As Nakafeero says, the convent is where the nuns begin and end, and it is the responsibility of the community to ensure that they are cared for in their final years. The African Palliative Care Association is working to raise awareness about the issue and to secure funding for the program. The organization is also partnering with other groups to provide training and resources to convents across the continent. As the program expands, it will be important to monitor its progress and to make adjustments as needed. The goal is to provide comprehensive care to retired nuns, including medical, emotional, and spiritual support. The story of the Little Sisters of St. Francis is a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion and care. As the program moves forward, it has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of thousands of elderly nuns across Africa. In the end, it is a matter of justice and dignity. The nuns have dedicated their lives to serving others, and it is the responsibility of the community to ensure that they are cared for in their final years. The pilot program launched by Nakafeero and Callahan is a crucial step in this direction, and it has the potential to inspire change across the continent.