In Africa, we provide free medical care

Every year, more than 2,000 surgeries and 8,000 dental treatments are performed
free of charge for people living in poverty in Africa.

This medical care is made possible by the donations we receive and the commitment of 1,550 volunteers
who have been joining us on humanitarian aid missions every year for over 40 years!

To carry out these missions, we use a fleet of civilian hospital ships: the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy.

Medical care that changes lives

Mariama, Sira, Awa, Amadou… and so many others who can smile again thanks
to the health care and surgeries performed by Mercy Ships volunteer crews.    

Discover their incredible stories

Aissatou: A father’s love

Since Aissatou was born with a cleft lip four years earlier, her father Ousmane had been in pursuit of her healing.

Life-transforming surgery for Malang

Malang had been to multiple hospitals in Senegal in search of medical help. His legs started to bow and was hoping for an othopaedic surgery.

A Double Portion of Blessings for Emmanuel

When a facial tumor first began growing, it was just a minor concern. Emmanuel felt flickers of worry, hoping it would fade away with time.

Learning to Eat: Cheikh’s Story

Ndeye’s only son Cheikh was born with both a cleft lip and a cleft palate. Because of these conditions, Cheikh struggled to breastfeed.

Serigne

Serigne’s parents couldn’t afford surgery to fix his bowed legs at the local hospitals. He then qualified for surgery onboard the Global Mercy.

Diacko: The Courage to Trust

Diacko had lived with bowed legs for more than half his life and was accustomed to the taunts of other children ringing in his ears.

We’ve seen firsthand the challenges that arise when people don't have access to safe and timely healthcare. It weakens communities and leaves individuals vulnerable.

Volunteers

Mercy Ships has been offering free healthcare
for over 40 years.

  • Two surgical ships, the Global Mercy and the Africa Mercy.
  • Over 1,550 qualified volunteers from all over the world serve annually.
  • Mentorship and training programs support local medical professionals in achieving long-term success.

Mercy Ships, a Heartfelt Story

Since 1978, Mercy Ships has been providing medical care, surgeries and
dental treatment to people living in poverty in Africa.

More than 5 million people do not have access to basic health care,
even though this should be a right for every human being.

This situation is not inevitable. You can help by:

1

Making a Donation

Every contribution counts. Every donation is a step in the right direction, making a difference in the life of someone in need of basic medical care. Be a part of that change by making a donation now.

2

Becoming a Volunteer

Would you like to do more than just make a donation, and join us in helping those who need it most? Become a volunteer and join our crews who work on the ground every day.

3

Talking About Us

Are you unable to help us with a donation or by becoming a volunteer but still feel moved by our mission? Support us by spreading awareness of our activities to others.

Your support allows medical care, among other things…

  • To give back a smile and a taste for life to the people treated
  • To help them find self-confidence after months or even years of suffering
  • To help them take their place in the community and be respected by those around them
  • To give children the opportunity to return to school or go to school for the first time
  • To have as normal a life as possible, quite simply

At the same time, we develop care systems for local health professionals
and invest
in the medical infrastructure where we work.

Follow Mercy Ships Canada on Instagram

Mercy Ships Canada is hosting an Info Night! 🧠🌍⁣
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Join us as local alumni who have served on board share stories of patients and their time on board, as well as learn about the opportunities to serve as volunteers on the world's biggest civilian hospital ships.⁣
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Click the link in our bio for more info! 🔗⁣
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We look forward to connecting with you and sharing about our mission and impact through direct surgical services and training healthcare professionals in subsaharian Africa.⁣
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Mercy Ships Canada organise une soirée d'information! 🧠🌍⁣
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Venez à la rencontre des anciens bénévoles qui partageront des histoires de patients et de leur temps à bord, ainsi que des informations sur les possibilités de devenir bénévole sur les plus grands navires-hôpitaux civils du monde.⁣
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Cliquez notre page Facebook pour plus d'informations.⁣
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Nous sommes impatients de vous rencontrer et de partager notre mission et notre impact à travers des services chirurgicaux directs et la formation de professionnels de la santé en Afrique subsaharienne.⁣
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Si vous ne pouvez pas venir, consultez les opportunités de bénévolat sur notre site.⁣
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#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada
After Mercy Ships patients receive reconstructive plastic surgery, the wound care team works diligently to make sure every patient receives skilled care and loving attention. 🩺🤝⁣
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This specialized work includes dressing changes, suture removal, and complex wound care.⁣
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Mercy Ships is in need of a nurse to join this team. Ready to experience a hospital like you’ve never seen before? Apply today at the link in our bio!⁣
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#Volunteer #FindYourPlaceOnBoard #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada⁣
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Après une chirurgie plastique reconstructive, l'équipe de soins des plaies travaille avec diligence pour offrir des soins qualifiés et une attention particulière à tous les patients. 🩺🤝⁣
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Ce rôle si important comprend le changement des pansements, le retrait des sutures et le soin des plaies plus ou moins complexes.⁣
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Mercy Ships recherche un.e infirmier.ère pour rejoindre cette équipe! Prêt.e à bénévoler dans un hôpital unique? Postulez dans le lien en bio.⁣
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#Bénévolat #Embarquezavecnous #MercyShips⁣
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📸: Tirsa Tapia Zamora
The Operating Room (OR) nurse team leads provide support, direction, and vision in an intense and challenging environment. ⁣
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Can you see yourself leading a team of diverse professionals from all over the world, providing hands-on care for patients receiving life-changing surgery?⁣
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Mercy Ships needs skilled #volunteers like you to come on board and serve. #FindYourPlaceOnBoard today: link in bio. 🔗⁣
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Les infirmiers-chefs du bloc opératoire apportent leur soutien, leur direction et leur vision dans un environnement intense et stimulant.⁣
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Imaginez-vous diriger une équipe de professionnels venant du monde entier, offrant des soins à des patients qui verront leur vie se transformer?⁣
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Mercy Ships a besoin de #bénévoles compétents comme vous pour monter à bord. #Embarquezavecnous dès aujourd'hui : lien en bio. 🔗⁣
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#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada
👉 Preventing infection is a key part of providing safe surgery that significantly improves each patient’s quality of life. When you #volunteer as the Senior Infection Preventionist on a Mercy Ships hospital vessel, your job is a big one: managing all infection prevention and control activities on board.⁣
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🙌 This is an exciting and challenging position for someone who likes to collect and analyze data, educate others, and collaborate with multiple teams and stakeholders. Learn more about how you can #FindYourPlaceOnBoard today: link in bio. 🔗⁣
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#MercyShips #GlobalSurgery⁣
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👉 La prévention des infections sécurise les interventions chirurgicales qui transforment la qualité de vie de chaque patient. Lorsque vous bénévolez comme spécialiste en prévention des infections sur un navire-hôpital de Mercy Ships, votre rôle est important : vous gérez toutes les activités de prévention et de contrôle des infections à bord.⁣
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🙌 Voici un poste passionnant et stimulant pour quelqu'un qui aime collecter et analyser des données, former et collaborer avec les équipes. Pour en savoir plus : lien en bio. 🔗⁣
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#MercyShips #chirurgiemondiale⁣
Volunteer nurses, surgeons, and anesthesiologists care for Mercy Ships patients. But who cares for them? Lead crew physician Courtney Vickery! 🩻🫶⁣
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Mercy Ships is looking for another crew physician to join Courtney’s team. This hands-on medical role is vital to the health of the entire ship. ⁣
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Are you a doctor who’s ready for a different kind of clinic? Join a multicultural, faith-based community filled with #volunteers who share a common purpose at the link in our bio! 🔗⁣
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#FindYourPlaceOnBoard #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada⁣
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Les infirmiers, chirurgiens et anesthésistes bénévoles s'occupent des patients de Mercy Ships. Mais qui s'occupe des bénévoles alors? Courtney Vickery, médecin chef de l'équipage, et son équipe. 🩻🫶⁣
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Comme Courtney, Mercy Ships recherche un autre médecin qui prendra soin des bénévoles. Ce rôle est vital pour la santé de l'ensemble du navire.⁣
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Êtes-vous un médecin prêt à travailler dans une clinique un peu différente? ⁣
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Rejoignez une communauté multiculturelle et remplie de #bénévoles qui partagent un objectif commun. Postulez dans le lien en bio. 🔗⁣
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#Embarquezavecnous⁣
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📸: Elizabeth Page Brumley

Thank you to our donors and volunteers

Since 1978, thanks to them, we have been able to:

Perform

0
surgeries on board our hospital ships

Carry out

0
dental treatments, performed by our volunteer dentists

Train

0
local health professionals in advanced medical procedures

Today, we are counting on you to continue our mission

How would you like to help us?