Mercy Ships is an international humanitarian organization that uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services and medical capacity building in the world's poorest nations. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in over 70 countries, providing $1.53 billion in services to more than 2.71 million direct beneficiaries. Every year over 1000 volunteers from up to 40 nations volunteer onboard the Africa Mercy, the world's largest civilian hospital ship.

Latest life-changing stories

Salematou
Salematou's Hope and Happiness

Mafoudiya
A Miracle for Mafoudiya

Koumba
Helping Koumba Help Others

Gamai
Free to Follow Her Dreams

Adama
Love At First Sight

Aissata
A New Milestone Brings New Hope

Saliou
Saliou's Story

Kadiatou
Seasons: Kadiatou's Journey

Aliou
A New Year With New Hope

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92,296+

surgical procedures performed since 1978.

Surgical Programs

41,540+

health care professionals trained since 1978.

Local Capacity Building

1,100+

volunteers from 62 nations onboard the Africa Mercy every year.

Volunteer Today!

Latest news

02.01.2020

THANK YOU to all our partners who helped transform lives in 2019!

In 2019, partners from around the world came together to transform lives in Guinea and Senegal Thanks to this generosity,

01.12.2019

Mercy Ships Volunteer Nurses Mentor Local Healthcare Providers in Senegal

Nurse Mentoring has started on the Africa Mercy in the operating room, recovery room, and wards of the hospital,

Mercy Ships Canada on Instagram

Laura Chamberlain (Canada), Ward Nurse (Adult ICU)...

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Laura Chamberlain (Canada), Ward Nurse (Adult ICU) “They said it’d be life changing, but Mercy Ships changed my life before I even came.” When Laura’s mother passed away, she lost contact with her mother’s side of the family. Traveling over 4,000 miles to volunteer on a floating hospital ship prompted her sisters to throw a going-away party. Family members she hadn’t seen since she was a child showed up to celebrate and support her in this new chapter in life.
Sometimes your life changes before, sometimes after, sometimes both. Nevertheless, it’s a life-changing experience.
#nursing #nurselife #canadian #canadahelps #volunteer #bestjobever

This month we are celebrating transformations that...

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This month we are celebrating transformations that generous partners made possible in 2019!After volunteer surgeons repaired Mafoudiya’s cleft lip, her mother, Mabinty shared the joy of her little girl's healing saying, “I waited for this for so long. I am so grateful…and so happy.” #mercyships #transformation #hope #healing

#Canadian volunteer Greg Abakhan (Victoria, BC) is...

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#Canadian volunteer Greg Abakhan (Victoria, BC) is now onboard the #AfricaMercy in Senegal, serving as a Deck Hand! Thank you Greg for using your technical skills to bring hope and healing to those in need!We need more volunteers like Greg to serve in West Africa. Learn more and apply today:#canadahelps #volunteer #victoria #bc #giveback #africa #worldsbestjob

This month we are celebrating transformations that...

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This month we are celebrating transformations that generous partners made possible in 2019!The day she was ready to return home, Salematu said she felt like dancing. She couldn’t wait to be reunited with her family and see her daughters’ expressions when they saw her without her tumour for the first time in more than two years.#transformation #hope #healing #mercyships #canada

Before her tumour, Seny was studying economics at ...

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Before her tumour, Seny was studying economics at the University of Dakar. With goals to graduate and get a job in finance, the future looked bright for this highly intelligent young woman.
Then, suddenly, a small bump appeared on the inside of Seny’s lip. It slowly grew larger and, eventually, Seny had to give up her dream. Surgery on the #AfricaMercy will give her the opportunity to return to school and accomplish all that she’s been hoping for.
#girlpower #bigdreams #hope #healing #mercyships

This month we are celebrating transformations that...

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This month we are celebrating transformations that generous partners made possible in 2019!
Unable to lift her hands above her head before surgery, Gamai can now reach higher in life than she ever could before.#transformation #mercyships

Whitney Grant (US) serves as our Human Resources ...

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Whitney Grant (US) serves as our Human Resources Director onboard the #AfricaMercy, leading an HR team from around the world.
Would you like to use your #administrative skills to help transform lives in West Africa? We’re now accepting applications for #HR Facilitators – join us!#admin #volunteer #jobs #canada #africa

This month we are celebrating transformations that...

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This month we are celebrating transformations that generous partners made possible in 2019!
Following surgery, Aminata’s little smile grew as she learned to love herself the way her family did.#transformation #mercyships

Marie Madeleine walked through the wards after the...

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Marie Madeleine walked through the wards after the surgery that straightened her leg. With a big smile on her face, she is standing tall and walking with confidence.
The #AfricaMercy rehab team is hard at work helping Marie Madeleine restore strength and function in her leg—ensuring that what was achieved in the operating room will last for the years to come!

This month we are #celebrating lives transformed ...

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This month we are #celebrating lives transformed in 2019!
Whether seen in person or photographs, the kindness in Faoudou’s eyes is transparent. Faoudou is never gentler than when he speaks about his mother, who’s faithfully prayed for him for many years — and now, he’ll get to be the one taking care of her.
#transformations #africa #mercyships

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