Mercy Ships UK Onboard Magazine | Autumn 2022

mercyships.org.uk | autumn 2022 | Issue 17

News and stories from the Mercy Ships community

Your

of hope and healing

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Onboard magazine Contents

Gif ts of Hope

How Jacqueline found hope and acceptance after her surgery.

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Christmas catalogue in October.

Can’t wait?

Scan the QR code or visit mercyships.org.uk/gift for Early Bird access.

Find out how Mercy Ships’ supporter Ruth will leave a legacy of hope.

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Mercy Ships founder awarded nation’s highest honour.

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Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships is a faith-based organisation that follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus. Bringing hope and healing through hospital ships and in-country training has been the mission of Mercy Ships for more than 40 years. Thanks to your support, those suffering from painful and preventable diseases can find the care they desperately need.

Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and strengthen healthcare systems, leaving a lasting legacy in every nation we partner with.

Mercy Ships UK, The Lighthouse, 12 Meadway Court, Stevenage SG1 2EF mercyships.org.uk 01438 727800 info@mercyships.org.uk

Save t h e Da te!

In-person Christmas Carols Services with Mercy Ships this December Southwark Cathedral London, SE1 9DA Thursday

Registered Charity No: 1053055. Registered Charity in Scotland No. SC039743.

2 Company No: 3147724 (England and Wales)

Belfast Assembly Buildings Belfast, BT1 6DW Thursday

1st December 2022

15th December 2022

7:30pm

7:30pm

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Onboard magazine Reflection

Don Stephens, centre, founder of Mercy Ships alongside a patient and volunteers

Big dreams, changed lives and a legacy of hope and kindness Over 40 years ago, Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens had a dream to offer free, life-changing surgeries to people in some of the poorest countries of the world.

labour for days or weeks only for their baby to be stillborn, where people wouldn’t be living in darkness because of eyesight problems and more.

Thousands of dedicated volunteers of Mercy Ships and supporters like you have helped to turn this dream into reality. Together, we have brought hope and healing to countless people, to their families and their communities.

This is the kind of future Mercy Ships is committed to creating – a future where each of us can continue to show compassion and kindness in an active way.

You have helped to create an amazing legacy of transformed lives.

You have excelled at putting your love into action by setting our patients free from tumours and deformities. You have helped restore their sight, enabled them to restart their lives, trained local medical professionals and much more.

That is why I would like to invite you to consider including a gift in your Will to Mercy Ships.

Like Don Stephen’s, your amazing legacy will be love and kindness expressed in a practical way through the urgent medical care our volunteer nurses and doctors can provide.

As we step forward into a new future – with not one but two floating hospital ships – ready to more than double our capacity to serve our host nations, I hope that you will continue to partner with us.

One of the most precious moments for me during my recent trip to Senegal was the Passing of the Torch ceremony. This was the moment when the Africa Mercy shared the flame (the symbol of hope) with the Global Mercy, the children were singing and there wasn’t a dry eye in the dock.

These are exciting times for Mercy Ships - recently we held an International Symposium in Senegal attended

by Health Ministers and Ambassadors of over 30 African nations.

By including a gift in your Will to Mercy Ships you too will be ‘passing the torch of hope’ to the next generations of volunteers who will transform lives through your generosity.

We talked about what sustainable healthcare would look like and about our common vision for Africa where babies wouldn’t die from preventable infections, where mothers too wouldn’t be stuck in

Joanne Balaam Chief Executive Officer

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Onboard magazine Hope Centre

Mercy Ships patients and volunteers in our Hope Centre in Guinea. Patients come here to prepare for, and recuperate from their operations

A place of healing and community Did you know that our Mercy Ships Hospital OutPatient Extension Centre, known as the HOPE Centre, is the epicentre of healing and growth for our patients?

And the HOPE Centre provides a hope-filled space where patients can experience this powerful healing component as they recover after surgery.

It serves as a home for patients like Jacqueline who are healing from reconstructive or orthopaedic surgeries and who need months of rehabilitation and rest to recover.

It is also a thriving little community and a place for training local medical professionals.

But, above all, the HOPE Centre is the place where our patients find hope again.

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Dr Gary Parker, who has served for over 30 years as a volunteer surgeon with Mercy Ships, often says that hope is the one thing many patients lack when they arrive.

Here, thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, our patients and their caregivers are given clean beds, nutritious meals, attentive care, and hope.

“For hope to be credible in the future, it must be tangible in the present,” Dr Parker said.

The HOPE Centre is where patients experience an abundance of kindness and compassion that is typical of how Mercy Ships loves people.

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Onboard magazine Jacqueline’s story

Jacqueline’s story: How she found healing and joy at the HOPE Centre

Many patients leave our hospital ship with a happy ending, and 33-year-old Jacqueline was no different.

Unlike many obstetric fistula patients who come to Mercy Ships for surgery, Jacqueline’s daughter survived the prolonged and complicated birth, but Jacqueline was left with permanent incontinence.

Sadly, Jacqueline was abandoned by her husband and shunned by her community - common realities for many women who live with obstetric fistulas.

Before she came to the ship, however, Jacqueline found a new reason to smile: Jean, a man who lovingly stayed by her side, despite her condition. Their romance was questioned by people who tried to discourage him from staying with her, but their love was powerful.

“There are two types of people in this world: those who have treated me cruelly, and those who have supported me. Jean has stood by me when no one else did, and I am so grateful to him,” said Jacqueline.

Jacqueline went to different hospitals and doctors with no results, and she had given up hope of ever receiving treatment so she could start her life over with Jean.

Jacqueline, surrounded by hope and support from caring volunteers and other patients on the Africa Mercy

But a simple procedure onboard the Africa Mercy and a few weeks of recovery at the HOPE Centre surrounded by other women gave her the confidence to smile and to make a fresh start in life.

For the first time in her life, Jacqueline enjoyed acceptance from fellow patients at the HOPE Centre.

They laughed and cried together because they knew exactly what each one of them had been through.

After her reparative surgery, Jacqueline’s sorrow has turned into joy!

Now, she and Jean can live out their ‘happily ever after’ without worrying about the future.

Make a gift today Your gift to Mercy Ships can ensure that more patients like Jacqueline can experience joy instead of sorrow and hope instead of despair.

Scan the QR code or visit mercyships.org.uk/hope to make your gift today. mercyships.org.uk 5

Onboard magazine Impact

See how we are impacting lives across Africa together Since 1978, Mercy Ships volunteers, supporters, churches, community groups and corporate partners have brought hope and healing to over 2.86 million people.

Thank you for being a vital partner in our mission to bring hope and healing to children, young people and adults in need of urgent medical care.

Together we have performed more than 108,000 life-changing or life-saving surgeries.

We have performed over 521,000 procedures on more than 197,000 dental patients, that’s a lot of restored smiles!

With your help we have trained over 6,680 local medical professionals who are continuing to save and change lives.

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Onboard magazine Impact

We have helped over 50,300 local professionals to grow their skills in their area of expertise like anaesthesiology, surgery, nursing, biomedical, sterilisation, etc.

Thanks to supporters and partners like you we have taught over 268,000 people basic healthcare principles for healthy living.

We have carried out over 1,115 vital healthcare projects in various African countries that are continuing to impact countless lives.

Thank you

for playing your part in creating such an amazing legacy of hope and healing.

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Onboard magazine Legacy

Will you leave a legacy of hope and mercy?

My name is Ruth Guy, and I am a Mercy Ships supporter just like you.

When I first heard about Mercy Ships I was moved by the plight of children and adults in some of the poorest parts of the world who seem to have no one to turn to for help.

And by the dedication of the volunteers onboard the Africa Mercy who gave of their time and expertise freely to help people in desperate need.

So, I decided to do my bit by sending my first gift to Mercy Ships and I have continued to support this charity ever since.

Some years ago, I had the privilege of meeting a handful of patients and their families onboard the Africa Mercy, and of seeing with my own eyes the incredible difference that gifts of all sizes, including legacies, can make to those we care for.

You see, I have decided to include a gift to Mercy Ships in my Will because I want this incredible charity that I love to continue to offer hope and healing long after I am gone.

As a lifelong supporter of Mercy Ships, I want my legacy to live on in the lives of children, young people and adults whose lives have been transformed through free surgeries and other medical procedures.

I get immense satisfaction by knowing that a gift to Mercy Ships in my Will means making sure that future volunteers onboard the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy can continue to provide urgent medical care to people in need and train local doctors and nurses to save more lives.

I hope you too will join me in this exciting venture.

TAX BENEFITS OF A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

Including a gift to a charity in your Will could make you eligible for a reduction in inheritance tax owed.

For example, if you leave 10 per cent or more of your estate (money, property, and possessions) to charity in your Will then the overall amount of inheritance tax you have to pay will reduce from 40 per cent to 36 per cent.

To make sure your estate is eligible for the reduced inheritance tax rate, please speak to a financial adviser or accountant.

That is why recently I decided to include a gift to Mercy Ships in my Will, and it is this decision that I want to talk to you about.

You can find out more about tax relief when you donate to a charity at https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity

Request your free Wills pack Scan the QR code to request your free Wills Pack, visit mercyships.org.uk/legacy, or return the slip at the back of this magazine.

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Onboard magazine News from our Ships

The blessing of the Global Mercy

Mercy Ships’ Academy pupils received a Royal Stamp of approval

In his journey as a seafarer, never did Captain Djurre Jan Schutte imagine that he’d someday play a key role in welcoming two hospital ships to Senegal.

Fifteen years ago, when he served as the first captain of the Africa Mercy, he was honoured to carry the torch from the outgoing vessel the Anastasis to the newly outfitted Africa Mercy.

In June this year, Captain Schutte had the privilege of carrying that same torch from the Africa Mercy’s gangway to the Global Mercy – our newest, and the world’s largest, purpose - built hospital ship which will more than double our capacity to transform lives and train local medical professionals.

Training African healthcare professionals onboard the Global Mercy

Pupils onboard our hospital ship the Global Mercy received a letter from the Queen in response to a congratulations card they sent on her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

Kathryn Dungworth, a volunteer teacher from Lancashire, said the children aged six and seven wrote to the Queen as part of their history class. And they were delighted to get a response from Buckingham Palace!

“We sent our letter to Buckingham Palace and received a reply in the crew mail! There was much excitement as we opened the envelope to find a letter and a card from the Queen! This was such a special moment for some of our youngest crew members!”

Kathryn, Grade 1 Teacher

The letter read:

The Global Mercy opened its doors for the first time as a teaching hospital in Senegal.

Under Mercy Ships’ Medical Capacity Building programme, a group of world-class volunteer medics trained 300 doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

The first round of training courses covered topics such as biomedical and paediatric anaesthesia, as well as essential surgical skills. Together with our local partners we are working to create a legacy of hope and healing in Africa.

‘The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for the splendid homemade card you sent on Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.

The Queen greatly appreciates your thoughtful message and your kindness in writing as you did at this time.

I am to send you and all onboard the Global Mercy Her Majesty’s best wishes.’

The Queen’s daughter, HRH The Princess Royal, visited the children’s classroom in March this year when she came onboard the Global Mercy in Rotterdam.

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Onboard magazine Mercy Ships Community News

Don Stephen’s legacy rewarded with Senegal’s highest honour “I would like to express our thanks to Don Stephens and Mercy Ships volunteers and give the recognition that they are due for their work since 1990. In recognition of its 30 years of service to the beneficiary populations, Mercy Ships deserves to be supported and encouraged.”

Dr Gary Parker, who for the last 30 years has lived and served on a number of Mercy Ships vessels and has provided maxilla-facial surgery for patients across Senegal and West Africa, was awarded the rank of Officer of the Order of the Lion by the President.

These words were spoken by His Excellency Macky Sall, President of Senegal at an inauguration ceremony in recognition of the impact and legacy that Mercy Ships has had in its 30-year partnership with Africa, and in particular with Senegal.

At the ceremony, Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens was awarded with Senegal’s highest honour – Commander of the Ordre national du Lion du Sénégal, the ‘National Order of the Lion’.

In bestowing this honour for exceptional merit and service to the nation, President Sall recognised Don’s tireless commitment and dedication to serving those in need of surgical care on the continent of Africa through his vision of hospital ships.

A big thank you to Rotarians everywhere!

A recent partnership between Mercy Ships and Rotary accomplished a record-breaking Rotary Foundation Global Grant of $1.125 million for vital medical equipment on the Global Mercy and training for healthcare professionals.

These funds are already being put to work to provide a range of sophisticated medical equipment, including a state-of-the-art CT scanner. They are also being used to purchase other medical equipment for the ship’s six operating theatres, three infection isolation rooms, 147 ward beds, six post-operative recovery beds and four intensive care beds.

Mercy Ships UK’s CEO, Joanne Balaam, said, “Here at Mercy Ships we are delighted and humbled by Rotary’s generosity. Thank you for partnering with us to build a legacy of healthcare provision in Africa.”

Members of Rotary Great Britain & Ireland, view the new CT scanner onboard the Global Mercy

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Onboard magazine Mercy Ships Supporter News

Headteacher and pupils do some amazing things for Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships nominated for church Charity of the Year for second time

Since September 2021 headteacher Shaun Miles, and the pupils and staff at St Luke’s Church of England Primary School in Cannock, Staffordshire, have raised £2,300 for Mercy Ships.

They chose Mercy Ships as their school’s Charity of the Year after learning about free surgeries we provide to children and adults in Africa.

Dad of two, Mr Miles ran the Greenland Icefjord Marathon in May half term.

He completed the run in 5 hrs 25 mins at 2am while it was still broad daylight and around -6°C. Some of St Luke’s pupils also took part in a sponsored run, each child completing 2.62 miles, as their headteacher trained for his 26.2-mile challenge.

They also raised money through a crazy sock day where all pupils wore odd and bright socks and a ‘break the rules day’ where they chose to ignore one rule, such as wear trainers instead of school shoes, for a day in exchange for a donation.

In addition to this, the pupils created an art installation of the Mercy Ships logo, made up of donated 2p coins.

The change will be counted up and donated to Mercy Ships.

Mr Miles said, “If we inspire children to understand they can make a difference and make the world a better place through their actions then we have done a great job.”

Thank you to headteacher Miles and all the pupils and staff at St Luke’s CofE Primary School in Cannock, Staffordshire for your generous support.

The congregation of Glenorchy United Reformed Church in Exmouth has nominated Mercy Ships as their Charity of the Year. This is the second time in a number of years that they have supported in this way.

To raise funds the church’s Mission Group are planning a couple of Coffee Mornings with Stalls and a concert.

Members of the congregation are also given Mission Boxes, in which to collect and donate their small change over the year.

Church Secretary and Mission Committee Member, Jenny Newman BEM, is also a personal supporter of Mercy Ships. She says, “I personally support Mercy Ships because of the wonderful work that you do.

A friend from Exmouth Chapel has volunteered at least twice to serve on the Ship as a theatre nurse.

“The church has supported Mercy Ships before, so it is good that we can support you again.”

We’re so grateful to Glenorchy United Reformed Church, for your faithful support in bringing hope and healing over the years.

Fundraising for Mercy Ships Are you a member of a Rotary club, a community group, or church congregation?

Why not consider supporting Mercy Ships as your Charity of the Year?

Scan the QR code or visit mercyships.org.uk/get-involved mercyships.org.uk 11

e ov l f o y g c a e l r ou Y By remembering Mercy Ships with a gift in your Will, you can provide life-changing surgeries and give our patients a chance to restart their lives.

Discover how you can leave a legacy of healing and hope

by scanning the QR or visit mercyships.org.uk/legacies Alternatively, return the slip at the back of this magazine.

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Registered Charity No: 1053055. Registered Charity in Scotland No. SC039743. Company No: 3147724 (England and Wales)

UKMG2209

Yes, I want to transform lives today Step 1. Your gift Single gift I would like to give a single gift of: £ _____________________________ By cheque/charity voucher made payable to Mercy Ships UK Or please debit my CAF Card

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Step 3. Gift Aid Make every £1 you give worth 25p more, at no extra cost to you.

I ’d like Mercy Ships to claim Gift Aid on this donation along with everything I’ve given in the last four years and all my future donations.

I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

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Please notify Mercy Ships if you want to cancel this declaration, change your name or home address or no longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains.

Step 4. Legacies I would like to find out more about leaving a legacy gift in my will.

Please complete and return this form to: Mercy Ships UK, The Lighthouse, 12 Meadway Court, Stevenage SG1 2EF Registered Charity No: 1053055. Registered Charity in Scotland No. SC039743.

Company No: 3147724 (England and Wales)