About 5 billion people worldwide do not have adequate access to surgical interventions. Every year, 143 million surgeries are lacking. Behind every statistic is a story, a life – a person waiting for hope and healing.
Mercy Ships exists as a compassionate response to a world in need. Together we are part of one race on our planet, irrespective of country, creed or color.
Discover the stories of lives transformed through hope and healing…
Story of Satou
At the age of 3, Satou’s legs weakened, then bent sideways. In a short time, her singular walk became the laughing stock of the other children. Since then, the little girl prefers to stay out of sight and out of mind.
Read the full storyStory of Aliou
A fire left 3-year old Aliou with third-degree burns on his right arm. With limited access to proper medical care, his arm contracted, eventually becoming stuck at a 90-degree angle.
Read the full storyStory of Ousseynou and Assane
While 5-year-olds Ousseynou and Assane may look alike, it’s obvious to see their different personalities – Ousseynou is outgoing and cheeky, while Assane is quiet and reserved. However, if you were seeing them for the very first time, it would be very difficult to tell the two apart. They share more than just their good […]
Read the full storyStory of Zackaria
Zackaria’s world has always looked rather dull. For seven years, he could only see vague shapes and muted colors because of cataracts.
Read the full storyMarie-Madeleine
When she was a child, Marie Madeleine developed an abnormally tight muscle contracture in her leg. Despite this difficulty, Marie Madeleine continued making the short journey to school, where she was determined to learn.
Read the full storyStory of Mariama
Mariama was born with a facial cleft. Her parents are faced with difficult questions, and no one seems to be able to help…
Read the full storyStory of Aicha
“When they removed the bandages, I saw my daughter as a woman for the first time” Fatmata said. “She was like a new person. She was dancing and laughing.”
Read the full storyStory of Dr Patricia
Dr. Patricia was aware that, even with the proper education, opportunities to turn her surgical dreams into a reality were rare in Cameroon. When she heard about the ophthalmic mentoring available on the Africa Mercy, she was thrilled to participate.
Read the full storyStory of Adama
Adama was five months pregnant when the world around her started to flicker and fade, because of cataracts in her eyes.
Read the full storyStory of Mercy
When 25-year-old Mercy arrived on the Africa Mercy to be seen by the screening team she was in a state of depression; on our hospital ship, she found hope again!
Read the full storyStory of Salamatou and Mariama
High up Mount Manengouba in Cameroon, through rocky terrain and lush foliage, lies the beautiful village of Bororos. The journey to Bororos consists of a steep, uphill horse ride surrounded by craggy rocks with only wildlife for company. But two little girls, sisters Salamatou and Mariama, had never left their village high in the hills of Cameroon because of their twisted legs.
Read the full storyStory of Paul Pascal
When he first arrived on the dock of the Africa Mercy cradled in his mother’s arms, Paul was a ghost of a baby. He was born with a cleft lip and palate that made it nearly impossible for him to nurse, and at just three months old he was slowly starving.
Read the full storyStory of Ulrich
Even experienced nurses on board the Africa Mercy had never seen a case quite like Ulrich’s. “Local surgeons wouldn’t even touch him,” Georgette recalls.
Read the full storyStory of Fanta
Fanta is a nurse. But her watermelon-sized tumour under her arm made it hard for her to wear the nurses’ uniform. As the tumour grew painfully large, she knew something had to be done. However, working in the local hospital only heightened her fears of having surgery.
Read the full storyAmina, Jacques, Marie and Elodie
In 2001, the crew of our first hospital ship operated the young Amina of cataract. But who would have thought that her children would inherit her cataract?
Read the full storyStory of Prinscio
Prinscio walked in a surprising way: he was born with club feet, and walked on the side of his feet. But when his family heard that a hospital ship would be coming to his country, he rejoiced:: “Soon, I will be able to play soccer!”
Read the full storyStory of Sandrins
Sandrins used to go to school with her sisters and friends, But the three-kilometre walk to school gradually became too painful…
Read the full storyStory of Vanya
While other children play and run, Vanya sits on the sidelines. When they cry and laugh, she remains silent.
Read the full storyStory of Zakael
Zakael grins from ear to ear. Surgeons have removed the tumour that had grown on his neck for 7 years.
Read the full storyStory of William
William has been blind for two years. After cataract surgery, he can see again. “I can see my son!”
Read the full storyStory of Haingo
Viviaby tries everything to feed her baby, Haingo, born with a cleft lip. There’s little hope for Haingo to survive. But an unexpected encounter will change the course of her life forever.
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