Mercy Ships UK Onboard Magazine | Spring 2023

mercyships.org.uk | spring 2023 | Issue 18

News and stories from the Mercy Ships community

changed You

Aissatou’s whole world!

mercyships.org.uk 1

Gif ts of Hope

Your heart transformed Aissatou’s world Page 4

Welcome onboard Global Mercy Page 6

Are you looking for that perfect gift for a loved one?

Don’t worry, we have got you covered.

You can save and transform lives by shopping! Browse our Gifts of Hope and help provide surgery and vital medical care for those in urgent need.

Berge Bulk fundraising challenge Page 8

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.

You can find everything from bandages to training courses, or even sponsor an operating theatre for a day.

Your gift will be sent to you as a beautiful card in a blank envelope so that you can add your own message before giving it as a gift.

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

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

2 Company No: 3147724 (England and Wales)

Scan the QR code or visit mercyships.org.uk/gift/ to see them all!

Follow us on social media /mercyshipsuk

Looking into the future

The Global Mercy

Dear friends, It has been three years since I took up the baton of leading Mercy Ships team in the UK and what a time it has been. The lingering Covid-19 pandemic brought with it unique challenges and 2022 brought its own challenges with the war in Ukraine and cost of living crisis.

Yet, during such difficult times the constants remained. Our commitment to provide free surgeries to people in desperate need. New opportunities to train hundreds of African medical professionals. The dedication of our volunteers, staff team and caring supporters like you.

For our Mercy Ships team, the unwavering support of friends like you, of our corporate partners, of local churches and groups like yours, has been our motivation and inspiration. Thank you!

With your help, we have overcome many obstacles and have achieved great things. And I believe 2023 will present more opportunities for us to impact more lives in Africa.

Thank you so much for supporting Mercy Ships during these difficult times.

Thank you for giving the incredible gifts of healing and new hope, to hundreds of patients in Senegal, including little Aissatou, whose story is featured in this magazine.

I hope that as you read her story you will be inspired to help future Mercy Ships patients who long to be freed from debilitating pain. One way you can do this is by taking up our Lent generosity challenge. Turn to pages 10 – 11 to find out more about this.

This Lent rather than giving something up, why not choose to give something away instead.

You can give the gift of free surgery to another patient like Aissatou and experience the satisfaction of knowing that your kindness can fill their heart with hope and joy.

Joanne Balaam Chief Executive Officer

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Onboard magazine Aissatou’s Story

Your generosity and kindness transformed Aissatou’s world forever - thank you!

Sarah Kwok joined Mercy Ships volunteer crew in 2019. She is the Chief Medical Officer. This is a story she wrote for her personal blog, a story you might enjoy reading too.

Sarah wrote: “During this field service in Senegal, we did over 600 life-changing surgeries ranging from maxillofacial ones, general surgeries, orthopaedic and burn surgeries. We faced many challenges, but we have seen God’s faithfulness hand through it all. We could not have done it without His guidance, His provision and mercy.

I want to share a patient story with you today and include lots of pictures in the hope of giving you a small taste of the magical transformations made possible by the kindness of Mercy Ships supporters like you”.

Meet little Aissatou She journeyed to the ship from her hometown of Louga with her dad in hope of getting her cleft lip and palate repaired.

This duo was extra special because it is usually more common for the children we operate on to be accompanied by a female caregiver, a mother, an aunt, or a grandmother. Seeing the love and care her father Ousmane showed for Aissatou was so heartwarming.

Before the patients are admitted on to the ship, they

Assiatiou is carried up the gangway by her father

Admission Day

It never gets old to share in the joy of seeing a patient get to this point.

Aissatou and her father came onboard the day before her surgery.

We were privileged to walk them up the gangway, to show them to the ward where they will stay during their time with us.

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stay at the Hope Centre - a safe place in Dakar where the patients and their family members can stay before and after surgery.

The day before Aissatou’s surgery the Hope Centre called saying they had found lice in her hair. We couldn’t move forward with the admission if she had lice in her hair or else it would have likely spread to all the patients onboard the Africa Mercy.

They both showed up the following day bald, after their treatment for lice, and happy to be admitted.

Something about their matching bald look made the duo even sweeter!

Aissatiou’s Surgery Day This brave little girl waved goodbye to the father as one of the team members took her to the operating room.

Assiatiou waves to her father before surgery

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Onboard magazine Aissatou’s Story

Assiatiou resting and recovering after surgery onboard

Welcome Home Aissatou They couldn’t quite believe their eyes when they saw little Aissatou’s face. And they welcomed her with open arms.

Recovery Time Aissatou spent about one week after her surgery recovering onboard the Africa Mercy. Once she was well enough she got to go outside on the deck - to play games, and even ride a bike.

Discharge Day

Assiatiou reunited with her whole family, back in their village

Assiatiou waves goodbye to the volunteer crew as she heads home

It is the most special thing to watch patients like Aissatou who walked up this gang way with so much anticipation and hope walk down again after surgery.

Assiatiou was welcomed back home by her whole community.

The medical team gathered outside to cheer her and her father. Aissatou loved her adoring fans. She waved to everyone, giving many high fives as she walked to the car to return to the Hope Center for the final stage of her recovery.

Final Discharge from the Hope Centre Once outpatients like Aissatou have recovered and they no longer need medical care or dressing changes they are sent home from the Hope Centre.

Assiatiou and her father, in front of the Africa Mercy

Here is Aissatou at home reunited with her mum, siblings and her friends in her village. community.

Thank you so much for journeying with me and others onboard the Africa Mercy through your generous gifts and your support and prayers.

Thank you on behalf of all Mercy Ships volunteers like me and patients like Aissatou and their families and communities.

Today

you can give the gift of a miraculous transformation to another Mercy Ship’s patient like Aissatou.

Scan the QR code or visit mercyships.org.uk/hope/

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Onboard magazine Global Mercy

Welcome onboard the Global The construction of the Global Mercy The building process included 48 months of work including the construction of the hull and installation of machinery systems, outfitting the accommodation on the decks and the hospital.

Extensive testing, and trials prior to delivery from shipyard.

The hospital The hospital covers most of the decks three and four (approx.

7,000 square metres). It has six operating theatres, 102 acute care beds, seven isolation beds and 90 self-care beds, as well as an area for storing supplies.

Accommodation The Global Mercy provides accommodation for 641 crew. But the ship can host up to 950 people when the hospital is working and additional day crew who serve in various functions such as translators. It has the latest technology for crew safety and security.

In addition to this, the hospital area also includes dedicated classroom/conference spaces and simulator labs for effective training. All the preoperative and post-operative work can be done onboard rather than ashore, which minimises Mercy Ships footprint in busy ports.

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Onboard magazine Global Mercy

Mercy

Here is a quick tour of the newest and the biggest charitable hospital ship made possible by your generosity.

Royal Visit What is next?

The Global Mercy has already visited Senegal as a training hospital. In the coming months the ship will be returning to start its first full surgical and training visit.

HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of Mercy Ships International, visited the Global Mercy last year when the ship was in Rotterdam. She toured the brand-new hospital ship and met UK and international volunteers.

When both ships are in full service, we hope to perform more than 5,000 surgeries, deliver over 28,000 dental treatments, and train more than 2,800 medical professionals every year!

The Global Mercy | Specifications

Length: 174 m Breadth: 28.6 m Gross Tonnage: 37,856 Registered: Malta Crew Capacity: 641 Draft: 6.1 m

Decks: 12 Engine: 4 x Wartsila 6L32 with 2 x ABB Azipod® propulsion units Building: Tianjin Xingang Shipyard, China Surveyed By: Lloyd’s Register

Support Global Mercy’s new medical mission Go to www.mercyships.org.uk/hope/ to help fuel the fleet!

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Onboard magazine News

Your support makes all the difference. THANK YOU! Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you we raised over £335,000 from our summer and Christmas appeals in 2022. That could provide run an operating theatre for 535 days or provide 930 tumour removals. On behalf of our Mercy Ships patients and their families THANK YOU for your love, mercy, kindness, and compassion.

In 2022 alone over 650 supporters like you stepped up to give regularly to Mercy Ships. If you are supporting Mercy Ships monthly thank you. You’re funding vital medical procedures, supporting the valuable training of local medical professionals; and kick-starting new and exciting projects, transforming many people’s lives for the better.

Wellbeing challenges boost for

Legacy donations play a vital role in supporting the work of Mercy Ships. Last year we received over £2m from supporters who included Mercy Ships in their wills. This is enough to provide training for 700 students, run the six operating theatres on the Global Mercy for 200 days and 500 childbirth injury repairs.

We honour their memory today and are deeply grateful for the life-changing surgeries their legacies will make possible in 2023 and beyond.

Thank you to our volunteer speakers too who in 2022 delivered over 276 talks to community groups, church groups, and more. Thank you for sharing Mercy Ship’s stories and raising vital funds for our work.

Mercy Ships

During 2022, staff at Berge Bulk undertook a range of individual and team challenges involving physical exercise, others to promote mental health, socialisation, some that required creativity and cooking.

Franz Duclan, Sustainability Executive at Berge Bulk, said: “The Live Well + Give Well campaign has made our seafarers healthier because they spend time doing activities that are beneficial for their physical, mental, and emotional health. Through this campaign, our seafarers can improve their well-being while also giving back to the community through charitable donations.”

Charleen Cree, Philanthropy and Partnership Manager at Mercy Ships UK, said: “It was wonderful that the staff at Berge Bulk selected Mercy Ships as the recipient of their hard-earned fundraising again.

“The Marshall Foundation’s support over the years has been incredible and is truly transforming lives year in, year out. We are so grateful for their committed support over many years.”

In total, the Marshall Foundation have gifted Mercy Ships almost £76,000. That is enough to run all the operating theatres on the Africa Mercy for 15 days!

Is your organisation looking for a charity partner? We would love to hear from you!

Email info@mercyships.org.uk or call us on 01438 727800 to get the conversation started!

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Onboard magazine News

Lifetime achievement award for Mercy Ships founder Mercy Ships founder Don Stephens received Lifetime Achievement Award from African Dignitaries at the GE7 African Visionary Leaders Summit in Washington DC last December.

Thank you, Revd. Angie Austin for running for Mercy Ships A 71-year-old Cirencester grandmother completed the London Marathon for Mercy Ships, saying she enjoyed it “every step of the way.”

The award was presented by Egypt’s Minister of International Co-operation of Government Rania Al-Mashat on Sunday (11th). Last year the Egyptian government provided free passage through the Suez Canal for the Global Mercy’s maiden voyage to Senegal.

Founder of the G7 Initiative and Senegalese public figure Amy Sarr Fall, said: “Africa is doing better because people from all parts of the world have joined forces to bring change and Mercy Ships is part of this transition.”

Dr Pierre M’Pelé, our ambassador for Africa, conveyed a heartfelt message sung by a dozen African singers: “We thank Mercy Ships, we thank Don Stephens for the dignity and hope given back to thousands of our brothers and sisters.”

Reverend Angie Austin from Somerford Keynes completed the 26.2-mile course in 7 hours 19 minutes fuelled by jelly sweets and support from her grandson Noah, who came to cheer her on.

The young at heart grandmother-of-seven and mum-of-four has no plans to retire and has just completed a master’s degree while working as an occasional agency nurse.

Thank you so much Angie and other marathon runners who decided to run for Mercy Ships to help bring life-saving surgery to the world’s poorest nations.

We need you! If you would like to join Angie and raise vital funds to help transform lives go to www.mercyships. org.uk/fundraise/ for more info.

Mercy Ships is partnering with PROPELme to recruit volunteer seafarers

Through this partnership, we will be able to connect with PROPELme’s seafarer community - one of the largest in the world - to promote Mercy Ships’ mission and to recruit seafarers who can volunteer onboard our hospital ships.

Did you know we need volunteer seafarers to run our hospital ships? It takes a whole community of talented volunteers from Captains to Cooks, Plumbers to Pursers. We need you and the talents you have!

If you would like to find out more using your skills to transform lives and volunteering with Mercy Ships, visit www.mercyships.org.uk/setsail/

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Lent KindnessCalendar 22 February 2022 - 8 April, 2023

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LENT STARTS TODAY!

DID YOU KNOW?

What will you sacrifice for the next 40 days?

16.9 million people die each year because they lack access to safe, affordable and vital surgery?

Why not donate the money you save to Mercy Ships?

28 How are your new year’s resolutions going? Could you commit to a challenge on behalf of Mercy Ships.

Just got to: MercyShips.org.uk/fundraise/

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DID YOU KNOW?

2 It costs £30 a day to provide nourishing meals for a patient.

30% of our ship crew are local to the country we visit so they know the language and the customs. They are essential to Mercy Ships for the care of our patients.

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Could you sponsor a patient’s meals for a couple of days?

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9 INTERNATIONAL WOMAN’S DAY

Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.

WORLD DENTIST DAY Since 1978, Mercy Ships has performed over 521,000 dental procedures for more than 197,000 patients.

Meet Dr Odry Agbessi Benin’s first female plastic surgeon who was trained by Mercy Ships. Read her story here: www.mercyships.org.uk/ dr-agbessi/

Henry James

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Why not ask the local café if you can pay for an extra coffee so that if some one in need comes in, the staff can give them a hot drink.

Little Tresor is too cool for school! After his successful cataracat operation, Tresor needed to wear special glasses to protect his sight.

Your gift of £10 will help to provide a pair of glasses for the next patient.

Today, ask the names of the people you make contact with. Then using their names, thank them and ask how they are. Some of our patients are called Adam Zidane or even Maurinho because they love of football.

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22 Today is INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS. Counting your blessings is a sure way to feel happier.

Why not take some time to do that today?

Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.

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The Global Mercy can change sea water into drinking water!

Scott Adams

29 Because of your support, since 1978 Mercy Ships performed over 108,000 life-saving medical procedures across 14 African nations.

Why not take a moment to re-focus your energies on the people & things that matter and read some of these transformation stories at mercyships.org.uk/patient-stories

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30 DID YOU KNOW?

SCRAP THE SCHEDULE

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

5 We’re looking for speakers to share the Mercy Ships story in their community.

Could that be you?

Flip to the back cover to find out more.

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness; usually it comes back to you.

Today is WORLD WATER DAY.

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PAY IT FORWARD

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WHAT’S IN A NAME?

See what happens today when you give someone your full attention – you might be surprised by the effect.

Why not reflect on a book that has inspired you.

TODAY IS WORLD BOOK DAY

When I was young, I used to admire intelligent people; as I grow older, I admire kind people.

When was the last time you enjoyed a really good laugh?

Revisit a book, TV show or friend who can make you laugh out loud.

6 After you’ve finished with this copy of Onboard why not pass it to a friend to read?

A. J. Heschel

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Now Lent is coming to an end what about organising a coffee morning?

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25 Will you help to restore a smile?

A gift of £25 could pay for a first visit to a dentist for someone at risk like Sekouba.

DOUBLE IMPACT In 2023, Mercy Ships hospital ships will be visiting three countries, Senegal, The Gambia and Sierra Leone.

Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.

J. W. Von Goethe

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5 DID YOU KNOW?

Love and kindness are never wasted.

They always make a difference.

Friday at 10am on the Africa Mercy is waffle time! Why not join them by making your own waffles?

There are 450 volunteers on the Africa Mercy and 641 on the Global Mercy!

Helen James

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11 FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT

Is it time to review or write your will?

We can help. After prioritising gifts to family and friends, why not consider leaving 1% of your estate to Mercy Ships.

Visit www.mercyships.org.uk/legacy for resources and more information.

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Pick up some Fairtrade certified items today, helping to ensure a fair price for farmers.

One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness; usually it comes back to you.

Anonymous

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It’s ST PATRICK’S DAY! Are you brave enough to dress head to toe in green today?

On MOTHERING SUNDAY tell a significant woman in your life how much you appreciate her.

Be kind and compassionate to one another…

Ephesians 6:4

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26 Now that the days are getting lighter, how will you use the brighter mornings? Perhaps with a reflective coffee, or spend some time meditating, or planning the day ahead.

DID YOU KNOW? There is one doctor for every 100,000 people in Africa, compared to 300 for 100,000 in the UK.

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1 It’s great to freshen up after a long journey, isn’t it? Our patients often have to travel 100s of miles over difficult terrain to get to the ship.

Your gift of £15 can provide a patient like Aicha, with a care pack so they can freshen up after their long journey.

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APRIL FOOLS DAY What jokes will you tell today?

DID YOU KNOW? A team of Gurkhas provide security and safety for our patients and crew onboard our hospital ships.

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Start of holy week DID YOU KNOW? One of Mercy Ships most memorable vessels, the Anastasis, means resurrection.

8 Today is GOOD FRIDAY ‘Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered’.

Easter saturday marks the end of Lent and our Lent Kindness Calendar. You help patients like Kadidja to get the life-changing surgery they need.

Visit www.mercyships.org.uk/hope/ to donate the money you’ve raised, or use the donation form in the back of this magazine.

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Will you share Mercy Ships stories with the world?

Tresor, Ophthalmic patient, Cameroon

Mercy Ships UK have a growing community of volunteers Speakers who we train and support to share patient and crew stories in unique and inspiring ways with Rotary clubs, WI groups, schools, community groups and local churches. Peter Montgomery is one of them.

Peter has been involved with Mercy Ships since 2011 when he heard a talk at his local Rotary club. He was so impressed by what he heard that he got involved as a Speaker himself.

‘For me volunteering as a Speaker for Mercy Ships gives me a lot of satisfaction.

When I show the videos it’s really gratifying to see that people understand what Mercy Ships does. The talks are easy to do, and the support I’ve received from the team has been second to none.’

Mercy Ships provide full training, great resources, ongoing support and all reasonable expenses paid.

If you’re interested in sharing Mercy Ships vision and stories with others, we would love to hear from you, If you’d like to explore what becoming a Speaker involves, we have an online Zoom session coming up, where you can find out more.

Get in touch Simply email: info@mercyships.org.uk or visit our website: mercyships.org.uk/speak/

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

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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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Please debit my account each month starting on: 1st or

15th of the month

To: The Manager Bank/Building Society Branch address (please complete)

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Please pay Mercy Ships UK Direct Debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with Mercy Ships UK and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my bank/building society.

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Banks and building societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions from some types of account

Step 2. Your details Title

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If yes, please provide below Email

If you would like to update your details at any time, please contact donor.care@mercyships.org.uk or call 01438 727800

Tick this box if you would not like an acknowledgement.

We will never share your details with another charity for fundraising and marketing purposes.

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.

I am not a UK taxpayer.

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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)