It takes a crew to run a hospital ship, both abroad and at home.
Africa Mercy is the world’s largest charity hospital ship travelling to some of the world’s poorest places to offer free training and healthcare.
Cooks, plumbers, surgeons and radiographers make up some of the 200 different roles onboard.
One British family who decided to volunteer together includes mum Lynn, a ward administrator, dad Stuart, a carpenter, and their son Matthew, who is currently working as a deckhand onboard the Africa Mercy before returning to the UK later this year to go to university.
A surgery room on board the Africa Mercy
On her experience on Africa Mercy, Lynn told us: “We are constantly amazed at how ordinary our fellow crew are. No one is superhuman. They arrive here from ordinary life situations, facing familiar family issues just like us and our friends back home. The desire to serve is tangible among everyone.
“One of the memories, which stands out for us, is from when the ship was doing six weeks of paediatric orthopaedic surgery. One of the conditions being treated was for bow legs and a young child was coming onboard with their father. The father also had bow legs and, even though he could not be treated, he was delighted that his child was being given the opportunity for life-changing surgery and was beaming as he came onboard.”
However, Mercy Ships doesn’t just need volunteers to travel to the ship. There are opportunities here in the UK, too.
We are so grateful for the volunteers who travel to the Africa Mercy to give their time and skills”
The Mercy Ships Speakers Network is made up of volunteers who give talks to Rotary clubs, community groups and churches about the work of Mercy Ships to help raise awareness and funds.
“We are so grateful for the volunteers who travel to the Africa Mercy to give their time and skills. Only 50% of the roles on the ship are medical and every role is filled by a volunteer. From the cleaners to the nurses, the receptionists to the electricians; we couldn’t offer this vital service without them.” Hannah Mulvihill, Crew Support Coordinator for Mercy Ships
If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities with Mercy Ships then just visit the website and find them at Volunteer Expo!
