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

Adama
Love At First Sight

Saliou
Saliou's Story

Aliou
Hope, Healing, and an Open Door

Mairamou
Mairamou’s New Beginning

A New Smile

Marie Madeleine
Most Likely to Succeed

Benessa
Finding Joy

Ousseynou and Assane
Double the Trouble, Twice the Joy

Djimby
A Grandmother's Grace

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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

19.01.2021

HEROES OF HEALTHCARE: EMMANUEL ESSAH

Through the medical capacity building program, Mercy Ships works hand-in-hand with partnering nations

03.12.2020

Charting the Seas Ahead

It goes without saying 2020 turned out very differently than we all expected COVID-19

Mercy Ships Canada on Instagram

When one thinks about long-term volunteer ...

When one thinks about long-term volunteer crewmembers Stuart and Lynne Little, many things come to mind. Their beautiful print fabrics give you a sneak peek into the bright personalities of these two. Want to serve alongside world-changers like these? We've got a place for you onboard!#mercyships #volunteer #thankyou #joinus #gratitude #serve #crew #makeanimpact #Canada #Africa

He is a silent force who plays a crucial role in ...

He is a silent force who plays a crucial role in transforming lives. He performs the maintenance of medical equipment, trains engineers, and is currently setting up a new training facility. Meet one of our Heroes of Healthcare: biomedical equipment engineer Emmanuel Essah!#MercyShips #volunteer #biomedicalengineering #heroesofhealthcare #healthcare #healthcareheroes #equality #biomed #medical

Christel first joined the #AfricaMercy patient ...

Christel first joined the #AfricaMercy patient screening team during our visit to her home country of Cameroon. When the ship prepared to sail onto its next field service, Christel decided her journey onboard wasn't over just yet. She decided to leave with the ship as a volunteer screening nurse — and what a difference she's made to countless patients and their families ever since!#mercyships #volunteer #hospitalship #serve #hope #healing #onboard #nurse #nurselife #adventure

As a volunteer Technical Stores Manager with Mercy...

As a volunteer Technical Stores Manager with Mercy Ships, you can provide the logistical support to keep our engineering and deck teams prepared. With your help managing the inventory control of spare parts and supplies, we can power transformation in Africa together.Are you ready to use your skills to make an impact?#volunteer #engineroom #mercyships #logistics #support #mercyships #engineering #onboard

It's just another regular day for these ...

It's just another regular day for these students... well, except for the fact that they're studying onboard a hospital ship and floating off the coast of a different nation every year! We couldn't do it without the hard work of our volunteer teachers, who make it possible for families from around the world to come and serve with us.#mercyships #volunteer #teachers #international #family #adventure #education #serve #hope #healing

As an Infection Preventionist with Mercy Ships, ...

As an Infection Preventionist with Mercy Ships, you can help form our frontline of defence by providing infection data and trends for our hospital staff. Now more than ever, your knowledge and ability to stay current on infection trends are essential for hope and healing to continue in Africa.We know how important your skills are – come make a difference with Mercy Ships!#mercyships #volunteer #infectionprevention #opportunity #bestjobs #healthcare #Canada #Africa

Welcome to a hospital like none other, where our ...

Welcome to a hospital like none other, where our volunteer staff celebrate alongside their patients and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they're making a life-saving difference. We're thankful for volunteer surgeons, like Dr. Johannes Kolbe, who travel from around the world to share hope and transform lives.#mercyships #globalsurgery #hospitalship #volunteer #bestjobs #adventure #adventureawaits #healthcare #equality

Cue the music, we're ready to dance. We ...

Cue the music, we're ready to dance. We can't wait to be back on the dock celebrating with our patients after they complete their healing journeys. There's no party like a rehab party!#mercyships #nonprofit #healthworkers #rehab #party #dance #celebrate #lookingforward #hope #healing

We're all about raising up the next ...

We're all about raising up the next generation — both in the nations we serve and right here onboard our ships! For our crewmembers who have a little crew of their own, serving alongside their family is an invaluable opportunity to show what love in action looks like.#mercyships #volunteer #maritime #cuteness #cute #cutekids #thatsmile #bestjobs #family #crew #familylife #adventure #onboard

Sometimes, the simplest things can make the ...

Sometimes, the simplest things can make the biggest difference. Our sterile processing courses teach trainees the importance of health and hygiene, including how basic handwashing practices can improve the quality of care in the nations we serve.#mercyships #globalhealth #safesurgery #medical #capacitybuilding #handwashing #washyourhands #health #hygiene

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