On Wednesday, 21 May 2025, a ceremony of special significance took place at the Presidential Palace. On Humanitarian Aid Day, the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, honored people whose lives bear witness to extraordinary dedication to others. Among them was Sister Maria Piątek, director of the only hospice in Rwanda—run by the Polish Sisters of the Angels—which we proudly support.

Sister Maria was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit. This honor recognizes her many years of steadfast service to those at the very edge of human experience—survivors of genocide, the sick, and those in need not only of medical care, but above all, dignity and a sense of safety in the face of suffering.

Her daily mission in Rwanda is more than managing the facility. It is about being present in the most difficult moments, restoring self-worth, and fighting for every pain-free day for those in her care. It is about creating a space where people can truly live—until the very end.

Sister Maria’s decoration reminds us of the power of a single person choosing to bring help where it is needed most. Her example embodies the belief that “in helping, we are ourselves enriched”—not in a material sense, but in the deep, human dimension of empathy and bridge-building.

This award is also yours, Dear Donors, because your support for the hospice in Rwanda allows Sister Maria to surround her patients with compassionate care, restoring their dignity and bringing them relief in suffering.