AFRICA — In 2023, Christian medical ministry Mercy Ships made history by serving three African nations for the first time providing vital surgeries from two ports through the #GlobalMercy. In 2024, the need remains great — but with an active two-ship fleet, the impact will be even greater.

In 2023, for the first time in Mercy Ship’s history, one ship served three nations from two ports. First, in Dakar, the Global Mercy served patients from both Senegal and the Gambia.

So many people have worked so hard to get to this moment to have the ship here in Senegal serving patients from both Senegal and the Gambia.

Then, sailing to the port of Freetown, she began a 10-month field service in Sierra Leone.

This is close to a year of planning and organizing, but to see all of that come into reality with the ship actually in Sierra Leone, it’s just amazing.

This year, patients like Malang received life-changing surgery, and fathers like Sadia were given new hope.

Sadia:

He’s totally healed now. It really touches my heart so deeply.

Volunteers like Dr Rachel Buckingham mentored surgeons like Dr Mohammed Saji, to build up surgical care in their countries. In Guinea, Dr David Udai, in partnership with Mercy Ships, continued to enhance the quality of dental education for generations to come. And in Durban, South Africa, the Afrika Mercy was renovated, to prepare her for many more years of service. This last year, Mercy Ships volunteers partnered with their African colleagues, to make surgery accessible, change possible, and hope reachable. And we’re sailing into a bright future. In 2024, with two ships in service, the need is great. But the impact will be even greater.

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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