Your love healed a child’s smile and a mother’s heart
Roseline remembers the birth of her youngest child, Armane. As she shares her story, you can see how painful things have been since the very first day of Armane’s life.
Roseline gave birth in a rice field in Madagascar, far away from a hospital, after a long labour. “I had complications during his birth – he almost didn’t make it,” she shared.
As soon as he was born, the traditional birth attendants tried to hide the baby from his mother. When Roseline finally held Armane in her arms, she kissed him and began to cry.
Armane was born with a cleft lip – a condition that had never been seen before in his village.
A battle for survival
Because Armane’s lip was split apart, this newborn baby couldn’t get enough of the milk he needed from his mother. You can only imagine how the baby cried, and how Roseline cried with him.
Every day, Roseline feared her baby’s health was slipping away too fast. “He was very weak, and we had to give him vitamins. He didn’t grow up properly. And he struggled to speak.”
Roseline turned to local doctors and nurses for medical help. But no one could provide the surgery Armane desperately needed.
“I was very worried – I always thought he wasn’t going to survive,” she said.
Mixed with her fears and anxieties, Roseline struggled with how other people talked about her baby. Their comments made her feel even more worried and alone.
“People thought he was cursed; he was not like the other kids. They even said he was not a human but an animal,” she recalled, her eyes filling with tears.
But despite everything, Roseline and her husband never lost hope. “We prayed every day – day and night – for my son to get surgery,” she said.
The answer to prayer
Thanks to gifts like yours, a miracle happened to Armane after his third birthday. The Africa Mercy sailed to Madagascar, and he received healing surgery – for free.
At first, Armane stayed at our HOPE Centre, where he could rest and enjoy free meals to get his strength up for surgery.
Armane was supported every step of the way with nutritional support, delicate surgery to heal his cleft lip, and love and care on our hospital wards. During his recovery, Armane was also given speech therapy to help him speak with confidence.
This specialist care was something his parents had only ever dreamed of.
When Armane and his caregiver returned home, so many people gathered round to cheer and catch a sight of him. People couldn’t believe their eyes. He was healed!
“Now that he has had surgery, I’m so happy – so happy!” Roseline exclaimed. “This surgery has taken my worries away.”
“His future will be better now. My son will no longer be mocked,” she said. “He will always be loved.”
Because of you, pain has turned into possibility.
You have soothed a mother’s fears and helped her to look to the future with hope.
You have shown a whole village what’s possible with access to safe surgery.
And you’ve given a bright little boy the chance to heal, go to school and enjoy a happy childhood.
Give hope and healing
Please bring free surgery to another child like Armane who needs urgent help – now.
● £10 a month could help equip a local hospital with surgical equipment.
● £17 a month could help transform a child’s future with cleft lip surgery.
● £20 a month could help train a healthcare provider to perform safe surgery in their local hospital.
Give by post or online at mercyships.org.uk/hope
Little drops will become a mighty ocean
It’s astounding. Nine out of ten people in sub-Saharan Africa can’t access safe surgery.
For three years, Armane (page 4) was deprived of his right to medical care. Without kind friends like you, this little boy might never have had the chance for surgery to repair his cleft lip.
Sadly, we hear this reality time and time again. This is the surgical crisis. A crisis that — for generations — has left children, parents and grandparents suffering without safe surgery.
Like you, we believe change is possible.
That’s why we partner with hospitals, universities and governments to equip healthcare professionals to make a lasting impact.
Here, we celebrate three talented medics who are pioneering better healthcare in their own communities.
“I’ve learnt many things here” Niry, Paediatric Nurse and Nutritionist, Madagascar
Niry (above right) is passionate about reducing malnutrition in Malagasy children. She worked alongside volunteers on board the Africa Mercy to develop her skills in child nutrition.
“Since I have been here, I’ve learnt many things. Many Malagasy people have nutritional problems, especially those who have cleft lip and palate. It’s important to have this training, and also to have sophisticated equipment to treat them.”
“For us, to ‘share smiles’ means restoring patients’ smiles so that they can be whole again and go back to their communities.”
Safe surgery is out of reach for most families in Africa.
But because of you, things are changing.
Find out more at mercyships.org.uk/education
“Little drops of water will become a mighty ocean”
Betty Koker, Nurse, Sierra Leone
For Betty, providing quality healthcare to her community is a deeply-rooted calling.
“I remember, I was eight years old when I lost my mum, she died after giving birth. My dad told me it was due to the negligence of the nurses. From that moment, I decided that I would become a nurse so that I can prevent more children from becoming orphans.”
Today, Betty smiles as she serves patients in Connaught Hospital in Sierra Leone.
With the guidance of Mercy Ships nurses, Betty has gained confidence in vital skills such as wound care and infection control.
Betty is hopeful that, thanks to this training, things will change for good.
“I think, if we continue in this way, we are going to save a lot of lives. Things are difficult here, but I know by God’s grace, we can do it.
“We just need to take it small steps at time. Little drops of water will become a mighty ocean. And if we focus on love and compassion, we can do even more.”
“I feel I am being pushed as a surgeon”
Dr Armah Toko Wilson, trainee
surgeon, Liberia
Dr Armah Toko Wilson, a final-year student, has received world-class training and invaluable hands-on experience on board the Global Mercy.
Mercy Ships recently began partnering with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) to improve surgical care where it’s needed most.
Dr Toko says, “I’ve gained many surgical skills, but also the confidence to address complex cases back home.”
With every new procedure Dr Toko masters, he’s determined to return home to train and mentor more surgeons in Liberia, where quality healthcare is badly needed.
“I’m not only being pushed to be a surgeon, but I feel that this is what God has put into my heart.”
Together we can build lasting hope and healing
Will you donate now and help change lives for good?
£10 a month
could equip a health clinic with surgical tools.
£20 a month could train a local healthcare worker.
£40 a month could go towards rebuilding a community health centre.
Donate now at mercyships.org.uk/ hope, scan the QR code, or fill in the form at the back of this magazine.
From a toddler at sea to a nurse on the wards
When she was just two years old, Kim Anna Kronester started living with her family on our hospital ships.
She spent her childhood on three different vessels – the Caribbean Mercy, the Anastasis, and the Africa Mercy – and often sailed between Central America and West Africa.
Now 31, she has returned to one of the ships she called home to serve on board as a qualified nurse.
“It’s a very special place”
One of her first shifts when she returned to the Africa Mercy was caring for an eight-year-old girl after cataract surgery.
“I got to be there when they removed her patches
and she said, ‘Wow, I can see you!’ It was such a beautiful moment to witness, seeing that instant transformation in her life.”
Even after spending decades of her life on board, Kim Anna still discovers new things every day.
“I feel very privileged to be here at the frontline of what’s happening with Mercy Ships and with the patients. It’s a very special place to be.”
Could you set sail with us? Start your journey at opportunities.mercyships.org
From stars of wonder to green fields in the sunshine
Earlier this year, Mercy Ships UK was honoured to be the charity partner of Prom Praise.
This spectacular event was held at the Royal Albert Hall. The audience was uplifted by music performed by orchestral choirs from around the world.
The theme of Wonder was threaded throughout the evening.
Hope and healing returns to Sierra Leone
Just days before this magazine was posted through your letterbox, the Global Mercy reopened her doors in Sierra Leone. This healthcare service marks the eighth stay in Sierra Leone over the course of 30 years. Thanks to your kindness, we can continue to bring life-changing surgeries to many more patients, and provide tools and training for medical professionals.
Meanwhile, surgeries continue on board the Africa Mercy in Madagascar. We are grateful to all our African partners for the opportunity to build upon the impact and momentum we’ve made together, and we look forward to what the future holds.
On stage, Mercy Ships shared the film of Mamadou, a young boy who received cataract surgery in Sierra Leone. The moment we watched him open his eyes to see the world clearly for the first time, a gasp and applause filled the concert hall. And over the summer, it was a joy to meet so many lovely folks at Big Church Festival, New Wine and more. Thank you to all those who spoke to us about volunteering, donating and supporting Mercy Ships.
Gifts of Hope
It’s never too soon to start your Christmas shopping!
Find great ideas in your Gifts of Hope catalogue, coming very soon. Inside, you’ll find meaningful gifts for your loved ones, Christmas cards, wrapping paper and much more.
Please save the date for our Christmas Carol Service at Southwark Cathedral on Thursday 4th December. We’d love to see you there!
Image: Nurses wave flags as the Global Mercy floating hospital arrives back in Sierra Leone.
With heartfelt gratitude
We share our deepest gratitude to all our dear friends who left a gift to Mercy Ships in their Will.
Anne Barker
Nicholas Brady
Hazel Cormack
Peter Findley
David Morrissey
Mary Roe
Geoffrey Taylor
Penelope Underwood
Gladys Waters
George Wood
This is only a very small tribute, and many more hundreds of people have given a legacy of love. Thank you for helping to transform lives for generations to come.
How you can help
Here are a few ideas to inspire you this autumn…
Give
Make a lasting impact with a regular gift. Go to mercyships.org.uk/hope
Fundraise
From dinner parties to bonfire nights, find fun ideas at mercyships.org.uk/fundraise
Leave a legacy
and let your love live on. Go to mercyships.org.uk/legacy to order your free brochure.
Volunteer
Share your time and talents on our hospital ships. Find your role on board: opportunities.mercyships.org
Pray
Pray for the patients who come to our hospital ships. Find out how your church can support Mercy Ships at mercyships.org.uk/church
Follow us
Join our community of Mercy Shippers on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn: @mercyshipsuk
for making hope and healing possible. mercyships.org.uk
Let your love live on... through every restored smile every answered prayer every chance to heal.
Would you consider leaving a small share of your Will – after seeing your friends and family are taken care of – to Mercy Ships?
October is Free Wills Month. Now’s a good time to create or update your Will. Want to know more? Go to mercyships.org.uk/legacy to order your free brochure.
Registered Charity No: 1053055. Registered Charity in Scotland No: SC039743. Company No: 3147724 (England and Wales) ©2025 Mercy Ships UK All photos ©Mercy Ships: (page 1) Merel VisserPiet (pages 2,5,12) Joshua Kiew Wing Chau (pages 6-7) Tirsa Tapia Zamora, Merel Visser-Piet, Inge Wiersma, Judit Maier, Elizabeth Page Brumley, Caleb Brumley (pages 8-9) Inge Wiersma, Caleb Brumley, Maodo Ndiaye (pages 10-11) Elizabeth Page Brumley
