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
Muriella’s Journey of Hope
Meet Muriella years after surgery! She lived with a facial tumor for years, then Mercy Ships returned to Madagascar.
Malang: Two Hours of Surgery, A Lifetime of Transformation
Malang was 2 years old when his legs first started curving outward. Discover how a 2 hour surgery on the Global Mercy fixed his bowed legs!
Mercy Ships Welcomes Anjara, First Cleft Lip Patient in Madagascar
On May 28th 2024, Anjara became the first patient to receive free life-changing cleft lip surgery from Mercy Ships in Madagascar.
Papa’s Story
When a facial tumour began growing from, he feared that it would dash his prospects as a professional mechanic. He then met Mercy Ships.
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.
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.
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.
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
Seafarers from shipping company @Seapeak have joined forces with Mercy Ships to invite their employees to use their maritime skills on board the world’s largest civilian hospital ships. 🛳️ As part of the corporate community, these seafarers have the unique opportunity to be part of delivering free, life-saving surgeries and healthcare education in sub-Saharan Africa.
"In the depths of thought, a realization bloomed: my seafaring skills held the experience to serve others. And there, aboard Mercy Ships, I discovered my new voyage—a seafarer with a purpose,” said Konrad Malinowski, Third Officer.
Each year, more than 2,500 volunteers from over 60 countries serve with Mercy Ships. About one third of these are seafarers who keep the hospital ships running smoothly so life-changing surgeries can take place. Want to #FindYourPlaceOnBoard among them?
Join us today: link in bio. 🔗
#Seapeak #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Seafarers #Volunteer #HospitalShip #HopeAndHealing
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Les marins de la compagnie maritime Seapeak se sont associés à Mercy Ships pour inviter leurs employés à utiliser leurs compétences à bord des plus grands navires-hôpitaux civils du monde. 🛳️ En tant que membres de la communauté des entreprises, ces marins ont l`occasion unique de faire partie des opérations chirurgicales transformatrices et des formations offertes en Afrique subsaharienne.
« Au plus profond de moi, j`ai pris conscience que mes compétences maritimes me permettaient d`acquérir l`expérience nécessaire pour servir les autres. Et c`est là, à bord avec Mercy Ships, que j`ai découvert quelque chose de nouveau - un marin avec un but », a déclaré Konrad Malinowski, troisième lieutenant.
Chaque année, plus de 2 500 bénévoles de plus de 60 pays servent avec Mercy Ships. Environ un tiers d`entre eux sont des marins qui veillent au bon fonctionnement des navires-hôpitaux afin que des opérations chirurgicales qui changent la vie puissent avoir lieu. Vous voulez nous rejoindre ? 👉 Lien en bio. 🔗
#marins #maritime #milieumaritime #gensdemer #bénévolat
Not only did Yusif find the healing he needed, but he also made new friends and experienced love. “I was treated well and taken care of. I had time to play, watch movies, and make new friends,” Yusif recounted. “I feel good now. I was not able to do anything before with my hand, but now I can do everything: run errands, play football, and go to school without feeling ashamed.”
🌍 In Africa, an estimated 435,000 to 580,000 snake bites occur annually, leading to acute medical emergencies like severe paralysis and local tissue destruction that can cause permanent disability and limb amputation. But thanks to safe surgery, Yusif has found hope and received treatment. He is now free to chase his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
#MercyShips #MercyShips #GlobalMercy #SafeSurgery #HopeAndHealing
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🌍 En Afrique, on estime que 435 000 à 580 000 morsures de serpent se produisent chaque année, entraînant des urgences médicales pour des paralysies sévères, ou des destructions des tissus se transformant en un handicap permanent ou l`amputation d`un membre.
C`est grâce à une intervention chirurgicale fiable que Yusif est aujourd`hui libre de ses mouvements. Il a non seulement trouvé la guérison dont il avait besoin, mais il s`est aussi fait de nouveaux amis à bord.
« J`ai été bien traité et on s`est bien occupé de moi. J`avais le temps de jouer, de regarder des films et de me faire de nouveaux amis », raconte Yusif. « Je me sens bien maintenant. Avant, je ne pouvais rien faire avec ma main, mais maintenant je peux tout faire : faire des courses, jouer au soccer et aller à l`école sans avoir honte. »
Yusif est désormais libre de poursuivre son rêve de devenir médecin.
#chirurgie #opération #liberté #soinsdesanté
📸: Abigail Beinetti
Many Mercy Ships #volunteers may spend their working hours on board a hospital ship, but there’s always time to walk down that gangway and explore the country they’re serving! The crew discovers local culture and gets to know the area by hiking, visiting beaches, trying new foods, and connecting with the community. 🤝
Learn more about opportunities to join the crew: https://bit.ly/3OmIseX
#Volunteer #FindYourPlaceOnBoard
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De nombreux #bénévoles de Mercy Ships passent leurs heures de travail à bord d`un navire-hôpital, mais ils ont aussi le temps de descendre la passerelle et d`explorer le pays qu`ils servent! L`équipage peut alors découvrir la culture locale et apprendre à connaître la région en faisant de la randonnée, en visitant les plages, en goûtant la cuisine locale et en se connectant avec la communauté. 🤝
Envie d`apporter votre touche canadienne à bord? Rejoignez cette belle communauté internationale : https://bit.ly/3v4Wp9z
#bénévolat #fairedubénévolat #bénévolescanadiens
📸: Tirsa Tapia Zamora
Go get `em, Amelia! 👏🎓🎉
Congratulations to the first ever graduate of the #GlobalMercy Academy! On board the new, purpose-built hospital ship is a multicultural school for children of long-term volunteers. Amelia Eungard is the first student to graduate from this academy, and everyone at Mercy Ships is so proud of her!
Learn more about Mercy Ships Academy, made up of two schools like no others at the link in our bio!
#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Graduation #SchoolOnAShip #MercyShipsAcademy
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Bravo Amelia! 👏🎓🎉
Félicitations à la toute première diplômée de l`école à bord du #GlobalMercy. Sur ce nouveau navire-hôpital se trouve une école multiculturelle pour les enfants des bénévoles de longue durée. Amelia Eungard est la première élève à être diplômée de cette académie, et tout le monde est si fier d`elle!
📸: Maria Anne van der Spijk
Naserry’s burn injury limited the use of her right arm – and also impacted her social life. She had trouble making friends and would hide her arm behind her back to avoid teasing. “At lunch, I don’t go out to play,” she shared.
But Naserry’s story changed when she received a free operation to restore her mobility! 🌟
Watch her story at the link in our bio!
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La brûlure de Naserry a limité l`usage de son bras droit et a également affecté sa vie sociale. Elle avait du mal à se faire des amis et cachait son bras derrière son dos pour éviter les moqueries.
Mais l`histoire de Naserry a changé lorsqu`elle a bénéficié d`une opération gratuite pour retrouver sa mobilité! 🌟
Écoutez son histoire complète en vidéo sur notre chaîne YouTube!
#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #SierraLeone #Transformation
📸: Tirsa Tapia Zamora
“From an early age, I saw how difficult it is in our setting to get treatment,” said Dr. Gracious Sankulani, from #Malawi.
After his mother’s battle with cancer, a young Gracious resolved to “reach those who cannot manage to get medical care.”
This year, as a fourth-year surgical resident, Dr. Sankulani came on board the #GlobalMercy for a special training opportunity in partnership with the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). Dr. Sankulani spent three months helping the crew perform reconstructive plastic surgeries for patients with benign tumors, burn contractures, and severe scars.
Now Dr. Sankulani can bring his new skills back home to Malawi, to help others like his mother.
#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Volunteer #Training #PAACS
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« Dès mon plus jeune âge, j`ai constaté à quel point il était difficile de se faire soigner dans notre pays », a déclaré Dr Gracious Sankulani, originaire du #Malawi.
Après le combat de sa mère contre le cancer, Gracious s`est résolu à aider celles et ceux qui n`arrivent pas à obtenir des soins médicaux.
Cette année, pendant sa 4ème année de chirurgie, Dr Sankulani est monté à bord du #GlobalMercy pour une opportunité de formation spéciale en partenariat avec l`Académie panafricaine des chirurgiens chrétiens (PAACS). Le Dr Sankulani a passé 3 mois à aider l`équipage à réaliser des chirurgies plastiques reconstructives pour des patients souffrant de tumeurs bénignes, de contractures de brûlures et de cicatrices graves.
Dr Sankulani peut désormais apporter ses nouvelles compétences au Malawi, afin d`aider d`autres personnes comme sa mère.
#impactdurable #formation #chirurgiefiable
📸: Tirsa Tapia Zamora
On Saturday June 15, the Malagasy president His Excellency Andry Nirina Rajoelina visited patients and volunteers on board the Africa Mercy® hospital ship in Toamasina to see for himself the lives being transformed. 👏
He was accompanied by Minister of Health Professor Randriamanantany Zely Arivelo, who was joined by a delegation with His Excellency. This marked the first time the Malagasy president has visited the ship during its current mission!
Read more in the link in our bio! 🔗
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Le président malgache, Son Excellence Andry Nirina Rajoelina, s’est rendu sur l’Africa Mercy® pour rencontrer les patients et les bénévoles, et constater par lui-même la transformation des vies qui s’opère à bord. 👏
Il était accompagné par le Ministre de la Santé, le professeur Randriamanantany Zely Arivelo, et d’une délégation présidentielle. C’est la première fois que le président malgache visite le navire dans le cadre de sa mission actuelle.
Plus d`informations dans notre lien en bio. 🔗
Nothing beats the joy that comes when hope is restored. As the field service in #SierraLeone nears its end, the Hospital Out-Patient Extension (HOPE) Center organized an evening of worship. Patients, caregivers, crew, and national crew gathered to sing and praise God.
The voices of patients, most of whom were still recovering from surgery, filled the atmosphere with warmth and gratitude. It was a beautiful expression of thanks to God for the hope and healing that was brought to life, in this field service and beyond!
#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #HopeAndHealing #Volunteers
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Rien ne vaut la joie de retrouver l`espoir. Notre mission en #SierraLeone touche à sa fin (mais nous revenons bientôt), et le Centre HOPE a organisé une soirée de célébrations. Les patients, les soignants, et l`équipe nationale se sont réunis pour s`amuser, chanter et célébrer l`espoir retrouvé à travers les chirurgies.
Les voix des patients, dont la plupart se remettaient encore d`une opération, ont rempli l`atmosphère de chaleur et de gratitude. C`était un moment extraordinaire et Mercy Ships est fière de voir tant de vies transformées grâce à ses bénévoles et donateurs. Merci!
#MercyShipsCanada #Espoiretguérison #Bénévolat
📸: Benjamin Thielman
Check out just a few of the many beautiful moments from the field service wrapping up in #SierraLeone. 🌍
Thank you to the 1,078 #volunteers from over 60 nations, as well as the 323 national crew who served on the #GlobalMercy. In partnership with this host nation, 1,728 patients received 1,979 surgeries, and 174 healthcare professionals were trained.
After a brief maintenance period, the ship is set to sail back to Freetown in August so we can continue offering life-changing surgeries and training!
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Découvrez les chiffres importants de notre mission en #SierraLeone! 🌍
Merci aux 1 078 #bénévoles de plus de 60 pays, ainsi qu`aux 323 membres d`équipage national qui ont servi sur le #GlobalMercy. En partenariat avec cette nation hôte, 1 728 patients ont bénéficié de 1 979 interventions chirurgicales et 174 professionnels de santé ont été formés.
Après une brève période de maintenance, le navire est prêt à retourner à Freetown en août afin que nous puissions continuer à offrir des chirurgies et des formations qui transforment des vies!
#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada
🇨🇦 Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦
We are so thankful for our Canadian volunteers, as well as our fantastic donors! You guys are our favorite people, and we promise we`re not biased! 👏🎉🍁
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🇨🇦 Bonne fête du Canada! 🇨🇦
Nous sommes très reconnaissants envers nos bénévoles canadiens, ainsi qu`envers nos généreux donateurs! En toute honnêteté, vous êtes nos personnes préférées. 👏🎉🍁
#MercyShipsCanada #MercyShips #CanadaDay
Thank you to our donors and volunteers
Since 1978, thanks to them, we have been able to:
Perform
Carry out
Train
Today, we are counting on you to continue our mission
How would you like to help us?
1-866-900-7447 (toll free)
