The Mercy Ship 40-minute documentary is full of good news!
With thanks to BBC Northern Ireland
Come with us as we follow nine huge-hearted volunteers who are challenged as they treat patients with extreme medical conditions rarely seen in New Zealand. They join the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship as the Mercy Ship visits the island of Madagascar.
Read the inspiring backstories from one of the featured patients, and some of the volunteer crew members, below.
Watch on Shine On Demand or Prime Video
LALAO’S STORY – Free at last
Lalao’s and her husband struggle to make ends meet. Five of their six children live in with them in one-room in Madagascar’s capital city. Lalao’s husband works on a rice farm, and she supports their family by working in a small local restaurant.
Anaesthetist Dr Michael McBrien
I’ve served as an anaesthetist on board the Mercy Ship nine times. Each time I’ve volunteered for two or three weeks, and four times since the documentary was filmed in Madagascar.
Ward nurse supervisor Jane White
I first volunteered as a nurse with Mercy Ships May 2008 for 7 months – but ended up staying until July 2012! I returned to the ship in July 2015 for the Madagascar field service, and I’m still here eight years later! I now served as the Ward Manager on the newest vessel, Global Mercy.
Ward nurse Rachel Lappin
I joined in Madagascar, for what was only to be one field service. During this time, I worked on the wards, mainly with women suffering from obstetric fistulas. I fell in love with the work, so much so that I joined the screening team and stayed for two more years, serving in Benin and Cameroon.
The Mercy Ships crew needs huge-hearted people with all kinds of skills, from all walks of life, on the team to provide essential surgeries for people like Lalo – people just like you! Find out more about volunteer jobs onboard in Africa, and the financial assistance plan to help make it happen.