News & stories

5 Most read blogs

3 Most recent blogs

Latest Blog

  • Crew Stories Inside Stories 
    Meet the “Faithful Servant” of the Mercy Ships Rehab Team
    Nov 07 • 1 min read
    07.11.2023
    Mame Sy had no medical aspirations before coming on board the Africa Mercy in 2019, but the love that she experienced on board compelled her to return again and again. MORE INFO
    Meet the “Faithful Servant” of the Mercy Ships Rehab Team
  • Building Capacity 
    The changing tide of dental care
    Nov 06 • 1 min read
    06.11.2023
    To sustainably increase the capacity of dental care in Guinea West Africa, an exciting education program is well under way. MORE INFO
    The changing tide of dental care
  • Crew Stories Media Stories 
    Newshub’s The Project
    Oct 24 • 1 min read
    24.10.2023
    Jesse, Kanoa and the team on TVNZ BREAKFAST speak to Catherine and Aly on board the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone about their incredible reunion - 30 years later. MORE INFO
    Newshub’s The Project
  • Crew Stories Media Stories 
    TVNZ Breakfast
    Oct 11 • 1 min read
    11.10.2023
    Matty and the team on TVNZ BREAKFAST speak to Catherine and Aly on board the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone about their incredible reunion - 30 years later. MORE INFO
    TVNZ Breakfast
  • Crew Stories Inside Stories 
    The Reunion – 30 years later
    Oct 04 • 1 min read
    04.10.2023
    Catherine had been in labour for 4 days in a Sierra Leone hospital. The lives of her and the baby hung in the balance - until a visiting Kiwi nurse followed her heart. MORE INFO
    The Reunion – 30 years later
  • Inside Stories 
    New National Director
    Oct 02 • 1 min read
    02.10.2023
    Toni-Maree Carnie steps with purpose into Mercy Ships New Zealand as the National Director, bringing fascinating experience in the not for profit sector MORE INFO
    New National Director
  • Patient Stories 
    Hawa passes on the healing
    Sep 04 • 1 min read
    04.09.2023
    Hawa was a young girl when a tumour began to grow in her mouth. It was not cancerous. But it was far from harmless.The fast-growing tumor was threatening Hawa’s life. MORE INFO
    Hawa passes on the healing
  • Building Capacity 
    Training that saves lives
    Aug 28 • 1 min read
    28.08.2023
    Dr Camara advocates for specialised training in medicine. He noticed common obstacle to continued education was the high cost, a challenge faced by many African medical practitioners MORE INFO
    Training that saves lives
  • Building Capacity Inside Stories 
    The next chapter: the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone
    Aug 08 • 1 min read
    08.08.2023
    She spent her childhood on board a Mercy Ship, which inspired Dr Sandra Lako to spend decades of her medical career serving the people of Sierra Leone. MORE INFO
    The next chapter: the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone
  • Crew Stories Inside Stories 
    How one act of kindness changed everything
    Aug 01 • 1 min read
    01.08.2023
    Catherine had been in labour for 4 days in a Sierra Leone hospital. The lives of her and the baby hung in the balance - until a visiting Kiwi nurse followed her heart. MORE INFO
    How one act of kindness changed everything
  • Inside Stories 
    Bringing the Global Mercy to Sierra Leone
    Jul 17 • 1 min read
    17.07.2023
    Bringing the Global Mercy to Sierra Leone Volunteers from Sierra Leone share their perspective Ibrahim Bangura was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and he has family in the northern district of Kambia. He says even as a native Sierra Leonean, he didn’t grasp the depth of medical need in his own nation until he joined […] MORE INFO
    Bringing the Global Mercy to Sierra Leone
  • Professional Insights 
    Sierra Leone’s journey for better health
    Jul 17 • 1 min read
    17.07.2023
    Dr Mustapha Kabba says, "For those of us on the ground in Sierra Leone, the challenges we face daily in providing healthcare services underscore the grave disparities present across the various corners of our planet when it comes to our ability, or lack thereof, to heal." MORE INFO
    Sierra Leone’s journey for better health
  • Building Capacity 
    Hope Ignited partnership
    Jul 03 • 1 min read
    03.07.2023
    Committed to increasing the availability of paediatric care in Guinea, West Africa, Mercy Ships partnerships with community medical centre, Hope Ignited MORE INFO
    Hope Ignited partnership
  • Building Capacity 
    Senegal’s 1st orthopaedic surgeon
    Jun 22 • 1 min read
    22.06.2023
    Dr Saboujni will be Senegal's first paediatric orthopaedic surgeon, addressing the urgent need for this care, particularly for conditions like clubfoot. Partnering with Mercy Ships. MORE INFO
    Senegal’s 1st orthopaedic surgeon
  • Inside Stories 
    45 years of hope and healing
    Jun 22 • 1 min read
    22.06.2023
    Looking back and dreaming of the future 45 years of Mercy Ships Don and Deyon Stephens had a dream. They wanted to convert a ship into a floating hospital, to bring safe, free surgical care to those who needed it most. They left their home in the United States, setting out into unfamiliar waters. There […] MORE INFO
    45 years of hope and healing
  • Building Capacity 
    On the front lines of healing
    Jun 08 • 1 min read
    08.06.2023
    A seasoned nurse with two decades of experience, Sawdiatou seized the opportunity to see surgical care through a different lens. “I know that this will help me.” MORE INFO
    On the front lines of healing
  • Media Stories 
    NZ Optics: Global Mercy Sets sail for Africa
    Jun 06 • 1 min read
    06.06.2023
    Ella Hawthorne discusses what it takes to set up a brand-new hospital, and restarting an ophthalmology programme in a post-Covid world - on a hospital ship. The first of two reports for NZ Optics. MORE INFO
    NZ Optics: Global Mercy Sets sail for Africa
  • Building Capacity 
    Bridging the anaesthesia gap
    May 29 • 1 min read
    29.05.2023
    With 12 anaesthestists serving Guinea, West Africa's 13 million people, a partnership to help strengthen local anaesthesia capacity was a logical step for Mercy Ships. MORE INFO
    Bridging the anaesthesia gap
  • 40 stories of healing 
    Rafael, Mexico 1987
    May 15 • 1 min read
    15.05.2023
    Rafael, Mexico 1987 Graeme with Rafael’s photo after surgery Rafael’s transformation Surgeon Dr Gary Parker and Rafael Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Rafael Rafael was a man completely transformed. It wasn’t just his appearance that changed after his cleft lip surgery, his whole demeanour was altered, He was viewing life differently. Graeme Walls says […] MORE INFO
    Rafael, Mexico 1987
  • Professional Insights 
    Raising the bar for safe surgical care
    Apr 13 • 1 min read
    13.04.2023
    Dr Juliette Tuakli explains why access to safe, timely, and affordable surgery is crucial for achieving 'Health for All' in Africa. MORE INFO
    Raising the bar for safe surgical care
  • Professional Insights 
    The false dichotomy of relief and development
    Apr 13 • 1 min read
    13.04.2023
    Dr Mark Shrime advocates for a dual approach in strengthening surgical systems. With 2/3 of the world lacking access to surgical care, the complexity of the issue is highlighted, emphasizing the need for transformative change, partnership, and balanced efforts between relief and development. MORE INFO
    The false dichotomy of relief and development
  • Patient Stories 
    Successful Surgery: Patient Khoudia’s Story
    Apr 13 • 1 min read
    13.04.2023
    When a person has spent years living with a medical condition that they are told is inoperable, it is easy to lose hope. MORE INFO
    Successful Surgery: Patient Khoudia’s Story
  • 40 stories of healing 
    YASAWA, FIJI 1998
    Mar 18 • 1 min read
    18.03.2023
    Yasawa, Fiji 1998 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Yasawa One evening in 1994, the Island Mercy was anchored off Atafu Island in the Tokelau group of islands in the Pacific. The crew enjoyed the tropical tranquility as they sat on the ship’s deck singing songs and talking about the day. One crew […] MORE INFO
    YASAWA, FIJI 1998
  • Media Stories 
    Lives transformed by surgical care
    Feb 28 • 1 min read
    28.02.2023
    Inspired by resilience of patients on board, NZ nurse returns for 5th tour-of-duty MORE INFO
    Lives transformed by surgical care
  • Building Capacity Patient Stories 
    Amadou – patient ambassador
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    He was medic, leader and a pillar of hope for his community. But now Amadou's patients were afraid of how he looked MORE INFO
    Amadou – patient ambassador
  • Patient Stories 
    Cire’s birthday.
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    Life-transforming surgery on his 20th birthday was the best gift for Cire. MORE INFO
    Cire’s birthday.
  • Patient Stories 
    Awa’s story
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    Awa, has always been close with with her Uncle Woury. Since the moment she was born with a cleft lip, his greatest wish was that she would someday find healing. MORE INFO
    Awa’s story
  • Patient Stories 
    Sira’s story
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    When all attempts at finding help were exhausted, Sira’s family had one last hope that her badly bowed legs could be straightened. That hope led them on an arduous journey of hundreds of kilometers from their remote village to the Mercy Ship, docked in the port city of Senegal. MORE INFO
    Sira’s story
  • Inside Stories 
    Looking to the future:
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Previous image Next image New International Chief Medical Officer. Mercy Ships is excited to welcome a new International Chief Medical Officer to the helm during an exciting new season for the organization – and for Africa. Dr Mark Shrime has been serving on board the Africa Mercy® twice a year as a […] MORE INFO
    Looking to the future:
  • Inside Stories 
    2023 return to Sierra Leone
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    2023 RETURN TO SIERRA LEONE Previous Next : Looking to the Future Mercy Ships has a long-lasting history reaching back more than 20 years with the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Next year, the organisation will add an exciting next chapter to this story. Upon invitation by the government of Sierra Leone, Mercy Ships […] MORE INFO
    2023 return to Sierra Leone
  • Inside Stories 
    Lifetime achievement Award
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Previous Next for Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships WASHINGTON DC, USA December 15, 2022 – A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships this past weekend at the opening event of the GE7 Africa Visionary Leaders Annual Summit, held in Washington DC.  This award was presented by […] MORE INFO
    Lifetime achievement Award
  • Inside Stories 
    Inside the ICU
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    INSIDE THE ICU Previous Next on board the Global Mercy Graeme Walls (Mercy Ships NZ Director) takes us on a personal tour of the ICU funded by New Zealand donors. As the newest hospital ship in the Mercy Ships fleet prepares to sail to Senegal for the inaugural surgical field service, Graeme gives a huge […] MORE INFO
    Inside the ICU
  • Inside Stories 
    Preparing to welcome the first patients
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    PREPARING TO WELCOME THE FIRST PATIENTS There is an atmosphere of expectation on the Global Mercy, as the crew prepares to cast off ropes docked in Spain’s Canary Islands, Ever since the new ship’s construction was completed in mid-2021, she’s been getting ready to serve her very first patients. Day after day, her crew has been patiently […] MORE INFO
    Preparing to welcome the first patients
  • Inside Stories 
    Giving Back
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    GIVING BACK : Senegalese Crew Ready to Meet the Need at Home. For Mercy Ships volunteer David Bies, the upcoming field service in Senegal of the brand-new Global Mercy® holds special meaning. That’s because for him, this will be a journey home. David is from Kedougou, Senegal, about 700 kilometres from the capital of Dakar, and […] MORE INFO
    Giving Back
  • Building Capacity 
    The future of clean, safe surgery
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    Unsafe surgical care can cause harm, but Mercy Ships is equipping African healthcare professionals with essential surgical skills through their state-of-the-art training programs. The Essential Surgical Skills course on the Global Mercy hospital ship provides hands-on training using simulators for lifelike suturing simulations. Graduates then return to their hospitals, empowered to deliver safe surgical care in their communities MORE INFO
    The future of clean, safe surgery
  • Professional Insights 
    Health in Africa: the tree that hides the forest
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    Dr Pierre M'Pelé, Africa Bureau Director, brings a unique perspective driven by the desire for health care to be more accessible across Africa MORE INFO
    Health in Africa: the tree that hides the forest
  • Building Capacity 
    Elvis Ngwang’s Story
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    Elvis Ngwang’s Story  “We are bringing you to Dakar.” These were Elvis Ngwang’s absolute favorite words to tell patients in the months before the Africa Mercy® returned to Senegal. After leaving earlier than planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital ship’s return in early 2022 was the fulfillment of a promise to hundreds of patients […] MORE INFO
    Elvis Ngwang’s Story
  • Building Capacity 
    Life-Saving Power of Training 
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    LIFE-SAVING POWER OF TRAINING Previous Next Dr Ngouatna is an anaesthetist working in critical care and emergency medicine. Already an experienced physician, he is based at Yaoundé Emergency Centre, and serves as a lecturer at the University of Yaoundé, in Cameroon. When the Africa Mercy® hospital ship traveled to his home country in 2017 to offer […] MORE INFO
    Life-Saving Power of Training 
  • Building Capacity 
    Becoming Senegal’s First
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    Becoming Senegal’s First Previous Next Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon In Senegal, a nation of over 16 million people, there is currently not a single children’s orthopaedic surgeon. It’s a need that’s immense – and immediate. Without a local specialist, children with lower limb conditions in Senegal must wait for a doctor from another country to visit. […] MORE INFO
    Becoming Senegal’s First
  • Building Capacity 
    2023 return to Sierra Leone
    Feb 13 • 1 min read
    13.02.2023
    2023 Return To Sierra Leone Previous Next : Looking to the Future Mercy Ships has a long-lasting history reaching back more than 20 years with the West African nation of Sierra Leone. Next year, the organisation will add an exciting next chapter to this story. Upon invitation by the government of Sierra Leone, Mercy Ships […] MORE INFO
    2023 return to Sierra Leone
  • 40 stories of healing 
    SAHONDRA, MADAGASCAR 1996
    Feb 04 • 1 min read
    04.02.2023
    Sahondra, Madagascar 1996 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Sahondra Since birth, a cleft lip and palate had limited Sahondra’s ability to eat, speak and even breathe normally. It was nearly impossible to take short controlled breaths through her mouth to ease her asthma attacks. Her cleft lip split her upper lip apart […] MORE INFO
    SAHONDRA, MADAGASCAR 1996
  • 40 stories of healing 
    MERCY SHIPS 40 STORIES
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Mercy Ships – a legacy of hope and healing Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: How it all began A devastating hurricane, meeting Mother Teresa and the birth of a special needs son drove a God-given dream that would inspire bringing hope and healing to the world’s poorest people. Since 1978 Don and Deyon Stephens […] MORE INFO
    MERCY SHIPS 40 STORIES
  • 40 stories of healing 
    Señora Camacho, Mexico 1987
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Señora Camacho, Mexico 1987 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Señora Camacho The elderly woman struggled to see as she slowly made her way up the Anastasis gangway. The ship’s crew were full of anticipation, hoping to catch a glimpse of the FIRST PATIENT to ever have surgery on a Mercy Ship. ‘Señora Camacho shuffled […] MORE INFO
    Señora Camacho, Mexico 1987
  • 40 stories of healing 
    AMINATA, SIERRA LEONE 1993
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Aminata, Sierra Leone 1993 Sandy and Aminata on board the Anastasis © Mercy Ships A life-long friendship had been forged Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Aminata People found Aminata terrifying and yelled curses at her. They called the teenager The Witch of Freetown because of the large tumour that grew from her […] MORE INFO
    AMINATA, SIERRA LEONE 1993
  • 40 stories of healing 
    BENIGNO, GUATEMALA 2001
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Benigno, Guatemala 2001 © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Benigno ‘Children seemed to enjoy tripping and hitting me because I couldn’t see,’ Benigno explained. Bilateral cataracts had so reduced his sight that he could hardly see the children coming towards him. ‘So my father […] MORE INFO
    BENIGNO, GUATEMALA 2001
  • 40 stories of healing 
    PAUL PASCAL, CAMEROON 2018
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Paul Pascal, Cameroon 2018 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Paul Pascal Paul Pascal was born with a cleft lip that disfigured his face and a cleft palate that made it impossible to breastfeed properly. His mother watched helplessly as he grew thinner and weaker. People around her called him a monster. His […] MORE INFO
    PAUL PASCAL, CAMEROON 2018
  • 40 stories of healing 
    MAMA H, GUINEA 2013
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Mama H, Guinea 2013 Tender touch was an important part of Mama H’s healing Hasanatu quickly bacame known on the wards as Mama H Mama H meets the crew members who donated blood for her surgery Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Mama H Where she comes from, the question is not what […] MORE INFO
    MAMA H, GUINEA 2013
  • 40 stories of healing 
    FELISIA, BENIN 2000
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Felisia, Benin 2000 Felicia had a lot of hope 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Felisia She arrived to the Mercy Ship Anastasis with a definite air of expectation; for over 50 years Felisia had lived without a nose. When she was just a teenager, a painful wound appeared on Felisia’s arm. She credits this as the […] MORE INFO
    FELISIA, BENIN 2000
  • 40 stories of healing 
    GRACE, CONGO 2013
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Grace, Congo 2013 Grace before and after surgery Life hung in the balance for the 17-year-old Grace’s sass is back! Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Grace Grace was one of the first patients up the Africa Mercy gangway in the Republic of the Congo in 2013. It was a race against time […] MORE INFO
    GRACE, CONGO 2013
  • 40 stories of healing 
    LORETTE, PHILIPPINES 1999
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    LORETTE, PHILIPPINES 1999 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Lorette Prayer has always played a key role in the hope and healing that Mercy Ships offers. Sometimes God’s answer to these prayers is something that surprises everyone. Lorette knew she had glaucoma and the vision in her right eye was failing. She also […] MORE INFO
    LORETTE, PHILIPPINES 1999
  • 40 stories of healing 
    MARIA, EL SALVADOR 1999
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    MARIA, EL SALVADOR 1999 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Maria Maria was doing chores in her garden in El Salvador, while her granddaughter played by her side. Suddenly she noticed the toddler had wandered over to the newly dug well – and toppled into it! Maria ran to the rim and peered […] MORE INFO
    MARIA, EL SALVADOR 1999
  • 40 stories of healing 
    NIKI, COTE D’IVOIRE 1991
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Niki, Cote d’Ivoire 1991 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Niki In a remote fishing village in the Ivory Coast, a midwife was tending a premature baby that had been abaondoned by her family.  The Anastasis team visiting the village included a huge-hearted couple who made a life-transforming decision. Peter and Suzanne had […] MORE INFO
    NIKI, COTE D’IVOIRE 1991
  • 40 stories of healing 
    YAYA, GUINEA 2012
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Yaya, Guinea 2012 Yaya before and after orthopaedic surgery © Mercy Ships The resilient, courageous Yaya © Mercy Ships Yaya and his friend nurse Dan.© Mercy Ships Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Yaya Yaya didn’t dare to hope his terribly twisted legs could ever be restored, even when he heard the Mercy […] MORE INFO
    YAYA, GUINEA 2012
  • 40 stories of healing 
    ISABELLE, EL SALVADOR 1999
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Isabelle, El Salvador 1999 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Isabelle Isabelle had a dream that one day she would walk like other children. She had been born with both feet severely deformed and curled under, so she learned to walk on the tops of her club feet. The object of cruel teasing, 10-year-old Isabelle scarcely lifted […] MORE INFO
    ISABELLE, EL SALVADOR 1999
  • 40 stories of healing 
    MONIQUE, CAMEROON 2008
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Monique, Cameroon 2008 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Monique Shy little Monique never let on her vision was fading, leading everyone to believe she simply wasn’t trying. But one day, as Monique fumbled around, Grandma realised all was not all as it seemed. Monique waited in darkness, listening intently to her grandmother […] MORE INFO
    MONIQUE, CAMEROON 2008
  • 40 stories of healing 
    SIDIATU, SIERRA LEONE 2011
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Sidiatu, Sierra Leone 2011 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Sidiatu Born with cataracts in both eyes, Sidiatu’s blindness required her Mum’s undivided attention. It broke her heart. Fatmata had been searching for hope for over a year – hope that her baby daughter might have a normal life. Fatmata’s older daughter watched […] MORE INFO
    SIDIATU, SIERRA LEONE 2011
  • 40 stories of healing 
    JATU, SIERRA LEONE 2010
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Jatu, Sierra Leone 2010 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Jatu Jatu didn’t know exactly how old she was. She thought she might be 15, but her playful grin and bright pink polka dot nail polish suggested she was a lot younger. Whatever her age, Jatu has already endured enough suffering to fill […] MORE INFO
    JATU, SIERRA LEONE 2010
  • 40 stories of healing 
    FIFALINA, MADAGASCAR 2015
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Fifalina, Madagascar 2015 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Fifalina Fifalina knows setbacks. She was born with a condition that caused her legs to become twisted and turned severely in multiple directions. The day Kristi met her, Fifalina was chasing a balloon- barely able to walk but laughing anyway. ‘There are a lot of days […] MORE INFO
    FIFALINA, MADAGASCAR 2015
  • 40 stories of healing 
    HURRICANE MITCH, NICARAGUA 1998
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Hurricane Mitch, Nicaragua 1998 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Hurricane Mitch It was the most devastating hurricane in the Caribbean region for more than 200 years. As winds reached 180 mph, thousands of people living in poverty were killed, injured or left homeless. Families were torn apart Operation Mercy in October 1998 wasn’t about […] MORE INFO
    HURRICANE MITCH, NICARAGUA 1998
  • 40 stories of healing 
    KALTOUMI, CAMEROON 2017
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Kaltoumi, Cameroon 2017 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Kaltoumi Kaltoumi had 3 months to live when she was helped up the Africa Mercy gangway in Cameroon in 2016. The massive facial tumour she’d carried for almost half her life threatened to slowly suffocate the 12-year-old. Early death from starvation or the inability to breathe […] MORE INFO
    KALTOUMI, CAMEROON 2017
  • 40 stories of healing 
    BLESSING, LIBERIA 2005
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Blessing, Liberia 2005 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Blessing One day Blessing was walking home from school in Liberia, when she fell into a ditch, and her wounded leg rapidly became infected. The local hospital delivered a shocking diagnosis – it was the horrific flesh-eating bacteria noma. A small cut’s infection was shockingly aggressive; […] MORE INFO
    BLESSING, LIBERIA 2005
  • 40 stories of healing 
    SERAH, MADAGASCAR 2016
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Serah, Madagascar 2016 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Serah Sandrine’s elation turned to shock when her longed-for daughter was born. The baby’s tiny feet were twisted at severe right-angles, facing inward. Her father feared for their daughter’s future. Sandrine tearfully wrapped Serah’s disfigured feet and could not find the courage to look at them […] MORE INFO
    SERAH, MADAGASCAR 2016
  • 40 stories of healing 
    BINTU, SIERRA LEONE 2002
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Bintu, Sierra Leone 2002 © Mercy Ships 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Bintu Bintu was only 9 when rebels overran her village during the Sierra Leone civil War. There was no warning and no chance to flee. During the raid, Bintu was abducted by a rebel leader. Bintu was only 9 when rebels overran her village […] MORE INFO
    BINTU, SIERRA LEONE 2002
  • 40 stories of healing 
    EDOH, TOGO 1995
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Edoh, Togo 1995 © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Edoh Her parents had all but given her up for dead. The grapefruit-sized tumour on Edoh’s face was relentlessly expanding into her airway when her parents journeyed 500km – to their last hope. The line was heartbreakingly […] MORE INFO
    EDOH, TOGO 1995
  • 40 stories of healing 
    HAINGO, MADAGASCAR 2016
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Haingo, Madagascar 2016 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Haingo Haingo was born in a tropical downpour. In the hut’s dim light, it was clear Haingo ’s tiny mouth was slashed by a bilateral cleft lip. Her father immediately rejected the newborn. Viviaby immediately loved her baby girl and was shocked when her husband declared, […] MORE INFO
    HAINGO, MADAGASCAR 2016
  • 40 stories of healing 
    LAURENCE, GHANA 2006
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Laurence, Ghana 2006 © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Laurence A piece of a broken knife was hidden in Laurence’s cheek for 19 years. Despite frequent pain, the blade wasn’t discovered until he headed to the Mercy Ships dental clinic to deal with his ‘toothache. ‘One […] MORE INFO
    LAURENCE, GHANA 2006
  • 40 stories of healing 
    CAVILLA, BENIN 2001
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Cavilla, Benin 2001 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Cavilla Cavilla was from a stilt village in one of Benin’s rivers. The 3-year-old’s tragic journey made a life-long impact on Sonja Dawson, a nurse who recounts how she reunited with Cavilla’s family 15 years later. ‘Cavilla received free surgery on board in 1994 for an enormous eye […] MORE INFO
    CAVILLA, BENIN 2001
  • 40 stories of healing 
    SAMBANY, MADAGASCAR 2014
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Sambany, Madagascar 2014 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Sambany When he was still a young man, the tumour on his face began to consume Sambany’s life. For 36 years it grew, and grew, and grew – until it became a monstrous burden weighing 7.46 kg. ‘I could not do anything,’ Sambany lamented.’Every day I […] MORE INFO
    SAMBANY, MADAGASCAR 2014
  • 40 stories of healing 
    KUMBUNA, GAMBIA 2002
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Kumbuna, Gambia 2002 © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Kumbuna The two and a half year old with twelve tiny braids pointing in all directions certainly isn’t the typical patient in the women’s health ward – thankfully. In many parts of Africa, millions of girls like […] MORE INFO
    KUMBUNA, GAMBIA 2002
  • 40 stories of healing 
    TINA, SIERRA LEONE 1993
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    REGINA, SIERRA LEONE 1993 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Day 10 Like any new parents, Catherine and Augustine excitedly awaited the birth of their first child. But as Catherine’s labour continued for a number of days, the family’s apprehension grew. After four days of labour without medical care, the 18- year-old was exhausted, frightened […] MORE INFO
    TINA, SIERRA LEONE 1993
  • 40 stories of healing 
    JIMMY, MADAGASCAR 2015
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    JIMMY, MADAGASCAR 2015 Jimmy was excited to be mobile Physio Hannah from Napier , preparing Jimmy’s prosthetic © Mercy Ships Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Jimmy Jimmy was homeless, and his severe wounds from childhood burns had never been properly treated. He was suffering terribly as toxins built in his body. Kiwi […] MORE INFO
    JIMMY, MADAGASCAR 2015
  • 40 stories of healing 
    PAULA, HONDURAS 2003
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Paula, Honduras 2003 Paula outside her home with her grand daughters Palua having her hair cut by Helen Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Paula An honest farmer, Antonio had nothing to hide from the police banging on his door. So he opened it. That was a fatal mistake. Seven young men from […] MORE INFO
    PAULA, HONDURAS 2003
  • 40 stories of healing 
    GISELE, CONGO 2014
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Gisele, Congo 2014 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Gisele She was 28 years old and expecting a baby. Gisele was elated with the anticipation of motherhood – until she lost her baby during a prolonged, obstructed labour in her Congolese village.  Added to the physical pain of the traumatic birth and the heartbreak of […] MORE INFO
    GISELE, CONGO 2014
  • 40 stories of healing 
    EBENEZER, GHANA 2006
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Ebenezer, Ghana 2006 © Mercy Ships © Mercy Ships Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Ebenezer When Jason Walls was 13, there was only one thing on his mind – soccer. ‘I played at school, after school, after dinner and, sometimes, even before breakfast. That was not uncommon for boys of my age and at […] MORE INFO
    EBENEZER, GHANA 2006
  • 40 stories of healing 
    PATRICK, SIERRA LEONE 1992
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    PATRICK, SIERRA LEONE 1992 Previous image Next image 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Patrick The enormous tumour began as a small lump on his chin when Patrick was a child. He endured ridicule and rejection as it increased in size until, as a young man, he made his way to the Mercy Ship in 1993. The […] MORE INFO
    PATRICK, SIERRA LEONE 1992
  • 40 stories of healing 
    Dreige & Eddy, Congo 2014
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Dreige & Eddy, Congo 2014 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Dreige and Eddy Imagine a childhood without soccer matches, games of hide and seek, or clouds to watch. Dreige & Eddy were robbed of these simple delights by sight-stealing cataracts. From the moment the 14-year-old boys met at the Africa Mercy dock, they were […] MORE INFO
    Dreige & Eddy, Congo 2014
  • 40 stories of healing 
    Hawa, Sierra Leone 2005
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2023
    Hawa, Sierra Leone 2005 Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Hawa The benign tumour in Hawa’s mouth had grown so large in the 2 years after the swelling started, she could barely eat. Their neighbours said she was cursed. But Hawa found hope – on a Mercy Ship. Hawa was just 6 years old when […] MORE INFO
    Hawa, Sierra Leone 2005
  • 40 stories of healing 
    40 years and 40 stories
    Jan 18 • 1 min read
    18.01.2023
    When he first stepped on the gangway 40 years ago, Graeme knew this ship would play a big part in his life. 40 years of service was more than he imaged. MORE INFO
    40 years and 40 stories
  • Patient Stories 
    Nabinty
    Jan 13 • 1 min read
    13.01.2023
    She suffered from a condition that is completely preventable, and yet no help was within her reach. MORE INFO
    Nabinty
  • Patient Stories 
    Alya
    Jan 13 • 1 min read
    13.01.2023
    ALYA Despite the odds of finding Alya five years later in post-Ebola Guinea, his Kiwi surgeon searched for his patient. Dr Neil Thomson wanted to see the long-term impact of his surgery which removed the life-threatening yet benign tumour from the boy’s throat years ago. Alay’s dad sat on a stool at the end of […] MORE INFO
    Alya
  • Media Stories 
    Optometrist paying her own way to bring sight to those who cannot see
    Jan 04 • 1 min read
    04.01.2023
    An optometrist paying her own way to bring sight to those who cannot see by volunteering in Africa on the Global Mercy. MORE INFO
    Optometrist paying her own way to bring sight to those who cannot see
  • Media Stories 
    Voyage of Mercy with Michelle Knubley
    Dec 24 • 1 min read
    24.12.2022
    A New Zealand nurse is to spend six months in the West African nation of Senegal on board a floating surgical hospital. MORE INFO
    Voyage of Mercy with Michelle Knubley
  • Media Stories 
    Rebooting the passion for nursing a Mercy Ships experience
    Dec 22 • 1 min read
    22.12.2022
    Discouraged by recent events and pressures in the healthcare system, New Zealand perioperative nurse Jude Quijano felt he needed to be inspired all over again about nursing and needed a reset. Volunteering in the Mercy Ships’ operating theatres in Senegal reconnected Jude professionally and personally with the end result of his theatre work; the real life impact of orthopaedic reconstructive surgery for a little girl whose life was transformed. MORE INFO
    Rebooting the passion for nursing a Mercy Ships experience
  • Media Stories 
    Teacher sets off on two-year volunteering mission in Africa
    Dec 19 • 1 min read
    19.12.2022
    Discouraged by recent events and pressures in the healthcare system, New Zealand perioperative nurse Jude Quijano felt he needed to be inspired all over again about nursing and needed a reset. Volunteering in the Mercy Ships’ operating theatres in Senegal reconnected Jude professionally and personally with the end result of his theatre work; the real life impact of orthopaedic reconstructive surgery for a little girl whose life was transformed. MORE INFO
    Teacher sets off on two-year volunteering mission in Africa
  • Crew Stories 
    Vivien Welch
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    Vivien served in one of the most challenging roles onboard the Mercy Ship – the experienced paediatric nurse works in the screening team. MORE INFO
    Vivien Welch
  • Crew Stories 
    Steph & Jonny Clark
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    Steph’s previous experience serving on board the hospital ship as a ward nurse paved the way for her to return into the role of wound care coordinator – an extremely demanding and highly skilled role. It’s Steph and her team’s job to change the wound dressings for patients after surgery. MORE INFO
    Steph & Jonny Clark
  • Crew Stories 
    Robyn Ferguson
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    To the long term crew on board, Robyn is affectionately known as a ‘repeat offender’. To date, she has completed nine self-funded, three-month trips volunteering with Mercy Ships. She’s helped provide post-operative surgical care while the hospital ship was docked in Congo, Benin, Madagascar, Cameroon, Guinea and Senegal. MORE INFO
    Robyn Ferguson
  • Crew Stories 
    Miriam White
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    MIRIAM WHITE Miriam White, Radiology Technician, putting a orthopedic patient through the CT Scanner. © Mercy Ships Radiology Technician reading CT Scan of a patient© Mercy Ships Patient’s x-rayy are done on board the hospital ship © Mercy Ships Miriam White, Radiology Technician and Emma Lattey, Physical Therapist, volunteers, on board the hospital ship Africa […] MORE INFO
    Miriam White
  • Crew Stories 
    Jessica and family
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    JESSICA AND FAMILY Previous Next VIA WELLINGTON. Jessica lives on the Mercy Ship with her parents. She is nine years old and she attends school on board. Her classmates are the children of other crew members from all over the globe. She lives with her parents in a family cabin and while they are at […] MORE INFO
    Jessica and family
  • Crew Stories 
    Janine Boyes
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    JANINE BOYES A Kiwi crew with seven years of volunteer work and ten nations under her belt Janine Boyes leading groups during fire drill © Mercy Ships Janine Boyes, from New Zealand, serves in HR department © Mercy Ships Janine Boyes, from New Zealand, is serving on hospital ship since 2010 © Mercy Ships Previous […] MORE INFO
    Janine Boyes
  • Crew Stories 
    Fil Jansons
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    FIL JANSONS Previous Next ELECTRONICS TECH FROM CHRISTCHURCH ‘I wanted to combine my skills and find a practical way I could serve God and help the needy of this world,’ explains Fil. He is one of the hidden heroes aboard the Mercy Ship – for seven months he is filling an engineering role that is […] MORE INFO
    Fil Jansons
  • Crew Stories 
    Esther Harrington
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    ESTHER HARRINGTON Previous Next RECEPTIONIST FROM NAPIER At home she’s a commercial pilot and flight instructor, on board she works in reception where, under the oversight of the Captain, she helps staff the essential communications hub of the Mercy Ship 24/7. ‘I am volunteering with Mercy Ships because my heart is to help people in […] MORE INFO
    Esther Harrington
  • Crew Stories 
    EMMA LATTEY
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    EMMA LATTEY Previous Next PHYSIOTHERAPIST FROM NAPIER As a sports therapist with 17 years’ experience, Emma has many high profile clients including an impressive list of All Blacks. What is equally impressive is her commitment to give her best, personally and professionally, to people in extreme poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. This is Emma’s first experience […] MORE INFO
    EMMA LATTEY
  • Crew Stories 
    DR NEIL THOMPSON
    Sep 09 • 1 min read
    09.09.2022
    DR NEIL THOMPSON Previous Next SURGEON FROM NELSON Surfer, botanist, ENT surgeon. After volunteering four times with Mercy Ships in West Africa, Dr Neil Thomson says, ‘You can never be the same after serving on board. Every time it has a different flavour.’ He is known as ‘Dr Neil’ on board the hospital ship. The […] MORE INFO
    DR NEIL THOMPSON
  • 40 stories of healing 
    Tellez children, Guatemala 1987
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2022
    Tellez children, Mexico 1987 The family in the Anastasis ward after their cataract surgeries Volunteer ophthalmic surgeon, Dr Bob Dyer Ready to head home Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Tellez children When Señor Tellez heard there was a chance for his four blind children to receive free eye surgeries, he was determined to do […] MORE INFO
    Tellez children, Guatemala 1987
  • 40 stories of healing 
    SAO, LIBERIA 2007
    Feb 02 • 1 min read
    02.02.2022
    Sao, Liberia 2007 Sao was blinded by dense cataracts Sao had to be guided on board Mercy Ships volunteers preparing Sao for surgery Previous Next 40 STORIES OF HEALING: Sao The Africa Mercy crew had spent 7 years in shipyard converting the Danish ferry into a hospital ship. Every day they were conscious of preparing […] MORE INFO
    SAO, LIBERIA 2007