Return home well
Whether you cooked delicious meals for the entire ship community, taught French to the students in the Academy, pampered the patients during the visiting hours, cleaned and made the OR safe for surgery, repaired the vehicle in which the nurses and doctors travelled and screened our future patients,YOU graciously offered your time and skills to make our world a better place.
THANK YOU for the uniqueness of your gift
In order for you to continue to thrive in what’s next, I want to make sure that you are well taken care of and equipped. Therefore, we prepared a tailor-made content for our crew coming home in order to guide you through your transition from ship life to life back home.
I really want to emphasize the importance of the time you will invest in your “debriefing” reading through the following pages, reading a book or not, planning a retreat, following some tips, or simply acknowledging the fact that you might experiment some up and down during this transition.
I am here for you if needed, so never hesitate to give me a call at any time, even if it is weeks or months past your return home.
ADD SIGNATURE AND PICTURE FROM JESSICA OR JANINA
We made a selection of publications that might help you. Check out the links and references made for you.
Find all the support you need. we made a list of debrief contacts in different region that might help.
New chapters of life are sometime daunting. Here more info about the different phases you might go through while settling back home
Top Tips and fantasies of returning home
- Time to ,,land » and adjust.
- Time in making decisions about what’s next and seek advice from those you trust.
- And don’t forget to move forward.
• Identify your expectation. This can help you avoid a lot of challenges and grief.
• Ask yourself if your expectations are realistic and where they come from.
• If an expectation is to high, accept to remolde it or to walk into grief.
• Expect mixed responses from those you speak to on your return.
• Expect that most people you speak to will have no insight or empathy to situations or stories you describe so it’s hard for them to respond appropriately.
• Some people may not have even realized you were away!
• Be ready with three responses to the tough, ‘So, how was your trip?’ question:
1. Two sentences for those who are asking out of politeness.
2. Two minutes for those who are asking because they want to know but don’t want a full run down.
3. Two cups of tea for those precious friends or family who give you their ear and let you talk.
– You need to remember that the type 3 person is rare so treasure them!
– Don’t be surprised or offended if someone changes the topic back to their lives and mundane details about curtains or paint samples when you’ve been sharing a significant story. Don’t be too critical of those who do this. Save your two cups of tea stories for those who you know will listen but also make sure you listen to them.
3. I will write to everyone I met! This is a feeling that quickly disappears when home. Do stay in touch with one or two people. This communication will help you adjust to being home, plus it keeps your new vision alive.
2. People are dying to hear about my trip! Some people would rather die than hear about your trip! Very few people want all the details and schedules. Prepare a specific story about a person or lesson learned. Share this clearly and briefly. Leave them wanting more.
1. I will be glad to be home! Of course, there are things you will have missed. However, you may experience some re-entry adjustment or low mood. Recognise this is a part of re-entry.
Mercy Ships Swiss Family Gathering!
Don’t miss out your next Mercy Ships Swiss family get together. A special time to shares unforgettable memories of your time on board with alumni, see old friends and meet new ones, share possible challenges of your return home, offer tips to future crew members who are about to board, eat good food and have fun.
More information will be sent in due time to your personal email address. Check your personal emails regularly.
"Le travail en cuisine est intense mais tellement enrichissant! J’ai aimé travailler avec des personnes des 4 coins du monde et apprendre à connaître différentes cultures! La bonne humeur, la musique, les odeurs, les rires,… tout ça fait partie de la cuisine! Il ne faut jamais oublier que sans nous, les médecins ne pourraient pas avoir de force pour opérer!"
"J'ai décidé d'aider, et la meilleure façon de le faire est de cuisiner et de faire ce que j'aime. J'ai hâte de voir où mes compétences culinaires peuvent aller, peut-être mettre un sourire sur le visage de quelqu'un, et même juste pour enseigner quelques compétences au personnel qui est dans la cuisine. Je suis prêt à relever un défi et à aider du mieux que je peux. "
"Honnêtement, quand je pense à qui j'étais avant de connaître Mercy Ships maintenant, je me rends compte d'un énorme changement, surtout sur le plan spirituel et professionnel. Mercy Ships est un environnement multiculturel, mais il a sa propre culture. Une culture si unique que vous ne pouvez pas en sortir en étant la même personne qu'avant."
"J'aime avoir affaire à des gens de tous les services à bord. Tout le monde a besoin d'un soutien audiovisuel à un moment donné. La communauté des bénévoles est merveilleuse. Tout le monde est ici parce qu'il veut vraiment être ici, ce qui favorise un excellent environnement de travail."
"Le meilleur aspect de mon travail, c'est quand j'apprends quelque chose de nouveau. Quand j'ai le sentiment d'en acquérir la maîtrise, je suis excitée à l'idée de pouvoir en faire profiter mon pays", déclare Denise. "Travailler, ce n'est pas seulement gagner de l'argent, mais c'est comme une vocation ou un mandat qui apporte de la passion et de la vie dans ce que l'on fait - en particulier dans le service aux autres. Le simple fait de penser que nos rôles collectifs pourraient servir les besoins de la communauté de l'Africa Mercy suscite une étincelle de joie - car aimer, c'est servir, et servir apporte une satisfaction et une force intérieures".
"Je suis allée deux fois au Nigeria dans les années 90 et j'y ai fait l'expérience de la pauvreté et de l'importance de l'aide médicale professionnelle. Cette expérience m'incite encore aujourd'hui à faire ce que je fais. C'est un énorme enrichissement personnel et professionnel."
"Il faut aimer le contact, tout en se consacrant à son travail avec patience! C'est une belle expérience avec des personnes d'horizons, et de pays différents!”