Islay Robertson, Human Resources Manager
Islay’s role is vital to the hospital ship work as she helps ensure every role from the Captain and cleaners to surgeons and chefs is staffed – so the patients can receive the medical care they need. The crew recognises how much they need each other, and that surgery simply can’t happen without a shipload of huge hearted people to do their part.
Why I volunteer with Mercy Ships.
Islay’s journey with Mercy Ships began as she watched a National Geographic’s Surgery Ship documentary series about the hospital ships’ work in Africa.
“I was just totally blown away by it,” she reflects. Inspired to volunteer, she stepped into a career transition that turned out to be exactly what she needed and gained a unique perspective on what propels people to leave home and travel across the world to volunteer with Mercy Ships.
It’s the people
In late 2021, Islay joined the Global Mercy. Seeing this enormous, newly built sister-ship for the first time she says, “I was just kind of buzzing. It feels a little bit like a whanau. We’re just all extremely connected to each other. You can really see it and feel it.”
Islay loves living onboard. She served on the Africa Mercy and transfered to the Global Mercy during the final stage of equipping as the hospital decks are outfitted, and the 37,000 gross-tonne vessel was readied for field service. She was part of the hospital ship’s maiden voyage to Africa.
‘I love being a part of the community on both ships, and that I can use the abilities and skills that God gave me to help this organisation in its work transforming others. I love getting to know the crew who come from all over the world. In HR we get to meet everyone who comes on board and it’s awesome to see and meet people from so many different cultures and nations (including our host country). As well as getting to hear about each person’s story of what brought them to Mercy Ships.
Connecting her twin passions
Islay says two of her great passions come together as she serves with Mercy Ships; learning local languages and witnessing the life-changing transformations that happen between patients arriving onboard and departing after their essential bit previously inaccessible surgeries.
“This happens right before your eyes,” Islay explains. “As you can see patients in the ship corridors and on our dock. We are so blessed with access to health care in New Zealand, and it’s so nice to be able to contribute towards helping those in the world that don’t get anything close to the same access Kiwis have.”
“It’s a really unique experience in so many ways. The majority of the crew who come want to extend their term and stay longer, or they re-apply to come again the next year or so. It will definitely create lasting memories, and change you inside and out.”
Islay’s inspiration: The Surgery Ship TV series
It was a National Geographic documentary series filmed on board that captured Islay’s heart, and inspired her to volunteer with Mercy Ships for 3 years, and counting!
