Image: Selina after her surgery on the Global Mercy to heal her umbilical hernia
Who we are
Mercy Ships is a pioneering international health charity. Our hospital ships bring free, life-changing surgeries to women, men and children across sub-Saharan Africa.
Safe surgery is out of reach for 9 out of 10 people in sub-Saharan Africa. People are robbed of years of healthy life, for conditions that are easily treatable. This is unjust. We believe everyone has the right to safe surgery, whenever they need it.
Our expert crew freely give their time and talents on board the world’s largest charity hospital ships, the Global Mercy and the Africa Mercy. Our volunteers come from around the globe to give patients vital medical care.
In partnership with African nations, we train healthcare professionals and build stronger health systems, creating sustainable change for the future.
(Image) Dr Justina Seyi-Olajide volunteers her time as a paediatric surgeon with Mercy Ships.
MISSION
Mercy Ships follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to people facing unjust poverty.
IMPACT
VISION
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to transform individuals and serve nations.
VALUES
• Love God
• Love and serve others
• Be people of integrity
• Strive for excellence in all we say and do
Every two seconds, one person dies from a surgically treatable disease. Mercy Ships deploys hospital ships to provide free surgeries.
Since 1990, Mercy Ships has conducted 42 field services in 14 African countries, most of which are ranked by the United Nations Development Index as the least developed in the world. In addition to surgical care, Mercy Ships creates lasting impact by training local medical professionals and strengthening in-country healthcare systems.
Our ships
The Africa Mercy
5 Operating theatres
80 Patient beds including: recovery, intensive care, and low dependency wards
6.0m Draft
152m Length
23.7m Breadth
16,572 Gross Tonnage
The Global Mercy
6 Operating theatres
102 Acute care beds
7 ICU/isolation beds 90 Self-care beds 6.1m Draft
Length 28.6m Breadth 37,000 Gross Tonnage
Thank you
Dear friend,
I’m delighted to share with you our latest Impact Report, which celebrates all that has been possible over the last six months, thanks to your amazing generosity.
In the following pages, you can read about the latest updates and the progress we’re making alongside our partners, both across the UK and internationally.
On pages 6-8, you will get a glimpse of our ongoing programmes in Sierra Leone and Madagascar, as we continue to deliver life-transforming surgical care for our patients, and education and training for healthcare professionals.
One of the things I appreciate most about Mercy Ships is the commitment to sustainable impact. Beyond surgeries, we seek to work in partnership with African governments to strengthen health systems.
On page 10, you’ll read about the groundbreaking African Education Dental Association. As African leaders continue to unite on this cause, we will see a ripple effect of improved dental healthcare across the continent.
One of my personal highlights over the past four months was undoubtedly Big Church Festival, especially meeting so many of our alumni volunteers and young people passionate to volunteer with Mercy Ships in future. Turn to page 13 to see some highlights from the festival. I also loved my induction visit to the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone, together with some of our valued trustees, in September. I share some of the most moving moments from our visit on page 11.
Now is an exciting time of transition for the global organisation, as Dr Michelle White has recently been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Ships International. Michelle brings a wealth of experience as a medical professional, a deep commitment to Mercy Ships, and a longstanding experience as both a UK and an International board member. I think she is exactly the right person to lead our organisation into our next chapter.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support.
Shelley Pigott Executive Director, Mercy Ships UK
The Global Mercy in Sierra Leone
In September 2025, the Global Mercy returned to Freetown for her third consecutive healthcare service in Sierra Leone.
Alongside providing direct medical care, we are working to strengthen existing partnerships with the Ministry of Health, the University of Sierra Leone, local hospitals, and many national healthcare professionals.
The return of our hospital ship builds on the momentum already underway in Sierra Leone. This new season was formally inaugurated by government leaders, diplomats, faith groups, nonprofit organisations, and private sector representatives at a Partner Welcome Event on board the vessel.
Mercy Ships will remain in Sierra Leone until June 2026, as we continue to deliver life-changing surgical care and medical education and training.
Images: (Left to right) Nurse mentoring in Connaught Hospital, Freetown. Dr Mustapha Kabba and Dr Sandra Lako welcome the Global Mercy
At a glance: our impact in Sierra Leone
Thanks to your support, many patients, families, and entire communities have benefitted from improved healthcare. Over the last 10 months, we’ve provided:
1,815 surgical procedures
3,044 dental procedures
185 African healthcare professionals trained
26,463 hours of training for medical professionals
“We are deeply committed to strengthening surgical care systems in Sierra Leone. Together with our partners, we are investing in local healthcare professionals who will continue to transform lives and create sustainable change.”
Dr Sandra Lako, Mercy Ships Country Director of Sierra Leone
Images: (Top left) Ward nurses celebrate Ruth, orthopaedic patient, as she prepares to take her first steps after surgery. (Top right) Nurses walk side by side through Connaught Hospital.
At a glance: our impact in Madagascar
Meanwhile, the Africa Mercy continues to provide safe surgeries and medical training in the port of Toamasina in Madagascar.
Earlier this year, we selected patients from 12 regions across Madagascar. Working together with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), we selected patients from the hardest-to-reach communities, and supported many people to prepare for their free surgeries on board the Africa Mercy.
The surgical need:
In Madagascar:
• Only 2 doctors for every 10,000 people
• 75% of people live below the poverty line
Your support has helped to provide:
1,619 surgical procedures
3,185 dental procedures
106 African healthcare professionals trained
12,821 hours of training for medical professionals
Armella’s story
Armella was born with a huge, heavy tumour behind her ear.
Every day, Armella’s mum watched her little girl suffer as the tumour pulled down heavily on her head, made her body weak, and drew stares from other children.
“I just wanted my child to be OK,” said her mum, Caessah. “That was the only thing that mattered.”
Her mum was desperate for answers. But, like most families in Madagascar, the cost of surgery was far beyond reach.
Life-changing surgery
Everything changed when Mercy Ships arrived in Madagascar. Thanks to kind gifts like yours, Armella received free surgery on the Africa Mercy.
Now full recovered, Armella is back at home, playing happily with her friends. She picks up a pencil and writes in her older brother’s schoolbook. One day, she hopes to go to school.
Thank you so much for bringing lasting hope to families like Armella’s.
“Mercy Ships is a blessing, a light and a rescue for me and Armella. Seeing my child healed fills my heart with joy. I am so happy. She will have a good life.” Caessah,
Armella's mum
Images: (Top left) We revisited Vanya at her home in Madagascar, following her surgery in 2015. (Above) Armella before and after her surgery on the Africa Mercy
On 12th June 2025, African leaders united to form a groundbreaking association which will shape the future of dental healthcare across the continent.
This summer in Morocco, African leaders from 24 countries gathered at Université Mohammed VI des Sciences de la Santé (UM6SS) to found the first-of-itskind African Education Dental Association (AEDA).
There is a pressing need for a dental association of this kind, as African nations face a critical shortage of dental professionals. There are just 4 dentists per 100,000 people in Africa. As of 2021, around 42% of Africa’s population have untreated oral diseases.
The vision for this symposium was first imagined by Professor Ihsane Benyayha, Dean of the UM6SS dental school. Two years later, Mercy Ships partnered with UM6SS to bring that dream to life.
The creation of the African Education Dental Association (AEDA), supported by Mercy Ships, marks a major milestone in building stronger dental health systems in Africa.
Mercy Ships is currently sponsoring more than 20 dental professionals from Guinea, Benin, and Madagascar to earn advanced specialisation at UM6SS.
“Thanks to the symposium, we will be able to join forces, combine efforts, and try to share our points of view. Cooperation between African countries will allow the various dental schools in Africa to speak with one voice.”
Professor Mohamed Siddick Fadiga
(Image) On 12th June 2025, leaders from 24 countries founded the African Education Dental Association (AEDA). This is the continent’s first collaborative association committed to advancing dental education.
Seeing with our own eyes
My visit to the Global Mercy
In her first few months as Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, Shelley Pigott visited our hospital ship, the Global Mercy. Here, she shares her personal reflections.
The size of the Global Mercy is staggering. Walking down the hospital corridors, it could easily be any hospital you would come across in the UK.
I’ve been to hospitals across Africa before, and sadly many of them have lacked the most basic equipment for safe and effective healthcare. I feel proud that the Global Mercy has some of the most state-of-the-art hospital facilities that you would find anywhere in the world.
I know you'll agree with me that it is only right that anyone, anywhere in the world has the right to access the same quality healthcare as we do. That's what we seek to provide. Like the CT scanner for example – it’s the only one in the whole of Sierra Leone and it’s on our hospital ship.
One of my highlights on board was being a part of the daily devotional on the wards. There was uplifting African singing, and a reading from the Old Testament, which was appreciated by Christian patients and Muslim patients alike. I found the worship quite moving. It truly is a very special place.
In many ways, I discovered that what Mercy Ships manages to achieve shouldn't be possible! Hospital ships, in Africa, staffed by volunteers... Yet the grace of God makes it possible – and the support of wonderful partners like you.
A night of celebration
More than 450 supporters gathered for a gala evening in Geneva on 25th September, to toast the success of Cargo Day.
The annual Mercy Ships Cargo Day Gala brought together over 450 shipowners, charterers, brokers, and traders from across the globe. The gala, which was held at the spectacular Bâtiment des Forces Motrices in Geneva, was testament to the vibrant support from the shipping community.
The gala was filled with memorable moments: a live call with the captain of the Global Mercy, an award ceremony, and a spirited auction with prizes including ship models, a framed Cristiano Ronaldo-signed Real Madrid shirt, and an exclusive bottle of red wine Vintage 1961.
“Tonight is a celebration of all we can achieve when we come together. I’m so proud of the strength of our support from the shipping community for Mercy Ships.”
Charlie Grey, Chair of the London Cargo Day Committee
Thanks to the generosity of the shipping community, the gala raised an incredible £225,055 which could fund 165 life-changing surgeries for our patients.
Thank you to everyone who made the gala an unforgettable evening.
Fuelled by the shipping and trading community, Cargo Day 2025 returns on 5th November for its 10th anniversary celebration. This year, we aim to raise more than £2 million, with all funds again to be matched by Mercy Ships partners at the end of the year.
Images: (Left) The Cargo Day gala in full swing. (Right) Charlie Grey of Tankers International.
From festivals to gospel glamour…
After a busy summer of festivals, from 22nd-25th August, Mercy Ships was at the heart of Big Church Festival, which brought together more than 30,000 people for a weekend of worship, joy and community.
Mercy Ships showed our inspiring film at the cinema, spoke to hundreds of festival-goers at the Expo, and spread the message of hope and healing far and wide on The Garden Stage.
And on Friday 19th September, Mercy Ships was honoured to be invited to the Premier Gospel Awards 2025 at The O2 in London for a spectacular evening of music and worship.
Images: (Left to right) Crowds enjoy Big Church Festival. A gospel singer at the Premier Gospel Awards. Debbie Birch and Shelley Pigott (Mercy Ships) with Kevin Bennett (Premier Christian Media) on the red carpet at the Premier Gospel Awards, where Mercy Ships was proud to be one of the sponsors.
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mercyships.org.uk 01438 727800
If you're interested in donating, volunteering, or selecting us as your Charity of the Year, please get in touch with our Philanthropy team: philanthropy@mercyships.org.uk
