GUINEA, WEST AFRICA — Gamai received horrible burns as a child. Her mother, Confort, felt a deep shame for allowing this to happen to her child. Follow Confort and Gamai’s journey toward healing and see how a single surgery carried out by Mercy Ships while docked in Guinea in West Africa can impact an individual, a family, and a community.

Confort – Gamai’s Mother:

“When I finished cooking I set the water on the fire. She came and the water fell on her, burning her. We carried her to the hospital but they only gave us ointment for her hands. They said it could not be cured. So every time whenever I see her hands I feel very bad. To even walk with her on the streets I am ashamed. I have faith that my daughter’s hands will be healed.”

One day at work Ganai’s father heard that a hospital ship was coming to the city.

Confort:

“Fortunately God heard our prayers and sent a ship to help us. Ohh! All the nurses were too nice to me. None of them shouted at me or looked at me in a bad way. It changed a lot in my life. It removed shame from my face. When we used to take the taxi, I would hide her arms in her shirt. But now she walks freely even on the street.”

Lamine – Gamai’s Father:

“Today, she is so active because she can move like she couldn’t before. It was like as if she was in prison, but today I can say she is free. Sometimes she tells me that she wants to be someone important someday. I dream that she becomes the president.”

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 55 developing countries, providing services valued at more than $1.7 billion and directly benefitting more than 2.8 million people. Our ships are crewed by volunteers from over 60 nations, with an average of over 1,200 volunteers each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills. With 16 national offices and an Africa Bureau, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information click on www.mercyships.org.

CONTACT: Diane Rickard, Int’l Media Relations Manager, Mercy Ships, Diane.rickard@mercyships.org

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