JIMMY, MADAGASCAR 2015

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 nurse Vivien first met Jimmy when she accompanied his surgeon on plastic surgery rounds soon after he was admitted to the Mercy Ship.

Vivien explains, ‘Jimmy’s leg had been amputated on board the day before. ‘He was 28, so only a couple of years younger than me. I expected to see someone downcast. But instead, Jimmy had the largest and most infectious smile. He could not stop thanking us for helping him.’

For Jimmy, the removal of his leg was also the end of years of pain resulting from his childhood injury.

‘I loved his positivity,’ Vivien reflected. ‘Even after all he had been through, and not experiencing much love in his life at all, he radiated love in such a huge way. There were so many hugs, so much laughter and so much talking over the months that he was there.

‘I loved his positivity,’ Vivien reflected. ‘Even after all he had been through, and not experiencing much love in his life at all, he radiated love in such a huge way. There were so many hugs, so much laughter and so much talking over the months that he was there.”

Note: Jimmy is pictured with his physio Hannah Rutherford