Marina, health training coordinator

Marina, what was your role on board and what do you do now?

I was responsible for courses within the Mercy Ships training and mentoring program. I organized and led the courses, with the support of a local team and instructors from various countries. Once the initial shock had passed, and I realized I wouldn’t be able to return to the ship as soon as I had hoped, I found temporary employment as a medical assistant in Zurich. Since the return to the ship, originally planned for January, was unfortunately not possible, I found another job at a COVID-19 testing center, where I currently work while waiting to return to the ship.

How are you still working for Mercy Ships?

Since our training doesn’t entirely depend on the presence of the hospital ship in Africa, we try to offer as many courses as possible in various African countries partially online. Covid-19 is putting a spoke in our wheels, but we’re still seeing this period as an opportunity to focus primarily on training local professionals, thus ensuring the long-term impact of our work.

You were in Benin in April. Why?

We organized a course on pain management for medical staff. The online course was taught by an English doctor, while a Beninese surgeon who has been working with Mercy Ships for a long time taught the in-person lessons. A colleague, also from Benin, was responsible for managing the course. Since it was a new role for him, I supported him with some advice and support.

Did you bring home any good memories?

Yes, I was particularly encouraged to see that the course was organized almost exclusively by local people. This is precisely our goal. We also organized a “training the trainers” course, during which we prepared participants to become trainers themselves, giving them the opportunity to teach part of the classes with the support of more experienced trainers. You could say that one of our goals is to… lose their jobs! In the sense that we want to give these people the means to pass on the knowledge they have acquired to colleagues in the hospitals where they work and to organize courses of their own.

What are the advantages of having a hospital ship to carry out this program?

Having a ship on site has numerous advantages and makes our lives easier, especially from an organizational standpoint and with regard to equipment. For me, the community of volunteers on board is another important element that gives us strength. It’s inspiring to see such a great team work because everyone gives their best!

Was there an experience that particularly impacted you?

In January 2020, I was approached by a young doctor in a restaurant in Dakar: she had seen the Mercy Ships car parked on the street and came looking for me. She was originally from Cameroon, knew us, and was hoping to be accepted into one of our programs. I was able to enroll her in one of our courses right away, and then, just before the pandemic, she traveled a long way again to attend another course. This young doctor demonstrated a great thirst for knowledge; we even saw her reviewing during breaks! She truly wants to be able to offer the best to her patients. And we really want to help people like her! Investing in the long-term sustainability of our programs takes time and patience, but when the results start to be tangible, we realize it was worth it. We hope that one day we will no longer be needed, because these people will be able to create lasting change in their countries.

What are your future plans with Mercy Ships?

This summer I will return to Senegal for a course in palliative care, then, in September, I will go to South Africa for two courses in surgery. At the end of the year, I plan to go to Liberia for a course in neonatal resuscitation. And I am very excited about the new ship; I can’t wait for it to be operational! Almost five years after starting my adventure with Mercy Ships, I still consider this work a great privilege, and I am eager to discover the great things God has planned for Africa and for Mercy Ships.

Are you ready to share your talents? There is a place for you aboard our ships.