BENIN, TOGO —When Mabouba came onboard the Africa Mercy medical ship in Benin in Togo for an intensive facial tumor operation, she had lost a lot of weight—and a lot of blood. Volunteer crew members donated to the onboard blood bank to give Mabouba strength for her surgery.

“I was really happy and grateful for those who donated blood for this operation that gave me life,” she said.

See where Mabouba is now, five years after her life-saving surgery.

5 years after surgery we met up with Mabouba in Togo

Mabouba – aged 23, Benin, Togo:

“It’s a pleasure to see my dear friends again. We met through Mercy Ships. I came to the ship because I had a tumor. My parents referred me to Mercy Ships. Arriving on the ship I saw really, really good people. They welcomed me well despite my condition. And during that time I lost a lot of weight. Besides that I had no blood.”

Dr Shrime – Volunteer Surgeon:

“She has a blood type that is one of the more rare blood types. So we don’t have a lot of her blood type on the ship.”

Mabouba:

“I was really happy and grateful for those who donated blood for this operation that gave me life. When I went up to the operating room I realized that they are really specialized. I thank God for all He has done to support me with my house and my daughter. Her name is Moustassira. I’ve loved her since the day she was born. She is in kindergarten this year. She is doing wonderfully even though she gets very distracted.

“If I hadn’t had this operation I don’t know what would have happened to me. And I give thanks as well to my dear friends at Mercy Ships.”

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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