Mercy
Story of Mercy
Story 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 storyPatient stories
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 colour.
Discover the stories of lives transformed through hope and healing…
Paul Pascal
Story of Paul Pascal
Story 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 storyUlrich
Story of Ulrich
Story 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 storySalamatou and Mariama
Story of Salamatou and Mariama
Meet 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 storyFanta
Story of Fanta
Meet 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, Jaques, Marie and Elodie
Amina, Jacques, Marie and Elodie
Story of Amina and her family
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 storyPrinscio
Story of Prinscio
Meet 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 storySandrins
Story of Sandrins
Meet 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 storyVanya
Story of Vanya
Meet Vanya
While other children play and run, Vanya sits on the sidelines. When they cry and laugh, she remains silent.
Read the full storyZakael
Story of Zakael
Meet Zakael
Zakael grins from ear to ear. Surgeons have removed the tumour that had grown on his neck for 7 years.
Read the full storyWilliam
Story of William
Meet William
William has been blind for two years. After cataract surgery, he can see again. “I can see my son!”
Read the full storyHaingo
Story of Haingo
Meet 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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