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 1,600 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
Khoudia’s Story: A Long-Awaited Successful Surgery
When a person has spent years living with a tumor that they are told is inoperable, it is easy to lose any expectation of healing.
Mariama: Love and Faith Over Fear
Meet Mariama, who experienced a life transformed after receiving surgery for bowed legs on board a hospital ship.
Sira: After Years of Waiting, Healing Has Come
Meet Sira, whose life was transformed after receiving surgery on board a hospital ship.
Awa: A Life-Changing Surgery
A little girl’s future is changed by surgery through Mercy Ships.
Adama: Free to Explore
Meet Adama, whose cleft lip surgery on board a hospital ship not only transformed her own life, but her family’s as well.
Cire: A Life-Changing Birthday Gift
Meet Cire, who on his 20th birthday, received life-changing surgery to remove his facial tumor on board a hospital ship.
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 1,600 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
Recognize these smiles? Amadou and Saikou were the very first patients from Senegal and The Gambia to receive surgery on the #GlobalMercy. Now, many weeks later, they`re both on the fast track to healing as they walk and play together at the HOPE Center. It won`t be long before they`re showing off their newly straightened legs at home! 👏🎉
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Vous reconnaissez ces sourires ? Amadou et Saikou ont été les tout premiers patients du Sénégal et de la Gambie à bénéficier d`une intervention chirurgicale sur le #GlobalMercy. Aujourd`hui, plusieurs semaines plus tard, ils sont tous deux sur la voie rapide de la guérison, marchant et jouant ensemble au centre HOPE. Ils ne tarderont pas à montrer leurs jambes guéries ! 👏🎉
#Transformation #HopeAndHealing #MercyShips #espoiretguerison
📸: Tirsa Tapia
Every Friday, you`ll find a colorful scene taking place on the veranda of the #GlobalMercy. Volunteer first grade teacher Carey Anne teaches art rehab to patients each week, helping them find healing through creative expression.🖍️
“I think for a lot of them when they`re in the hospital, there`s so much stuff that happens that they don`t have control over. But when you`re creating something, you have a sense of creativity and control, I think can be very therapeutic,” says Carey Anne.
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Chaque vendredi, une activité haute en couleur se déroule sur le #GlobalMercy. Carey Anne, enseignante bénévole, donne chaque semaine des cours artistiques aux patients, les aidant à trouver la guérison par l`expression créative.🖍️
« Je pense que pour beaucoup d`entre eux, lorsqu`ils sont à l`hôpital, il se passe tellement de choses qu`ils ne contrôlent pas. Mais lorsque vous créez quelque chose, vous avez un sentiment de créativité et de contrôle, je pense que cela peut être très thérapeutique », déclare Carey Anne.
#GlobalHealth #HopeAndHealing #MercyShips #Santéglobale #Espoiretguérison
📸: Elizabeth Page Brumley
Happy International Day for Women in Maritime! ⚓ We love celebrating the many skilled and servant-hearted seafarers who keep our hospital ships operating smoothly. Thank you for all you do to make hope and healing a reality.
Know any women who work in maritime? Give them a shoutout in the comments today! 👏
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Bonne journée internationale des femmes du secteur maritime ! ⚓ Nous aimons célébrer les nombreuses femmes compétentes et dévouées qui assurent le bon fonctionnement de nos navires-hôpitaux. Merci pour tout ce que vous faites afin que l`espoir et la guérison deviennent une réalité.
Vous connaissez des femmes qui travaillent dans le secteur maritime ? Mettez-les à l`honneur dans les commentaires ci-basi ! 👏
#WomenInMaritimeDay #WomenInSTEM #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #FemmesDuSecteurMaritime #FemmesEnSTIM
Meet YouTube sensation Emma Le Teace, otherwise known as @EmmaCruises, who decided to support Mercy Ships in an unusual way. After feeling inspired by the life-changing impact of Mercy Ships` mission, she raised a generous donation by selling over a thousand toy replicas of her rescue cat, Hudson. 🐱⚓
There are endless ways to get creative and be part of making hope and healing possible! Find out how you can join the mission at https://bit.ly/3OmIseX
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Rencontrez la star de YouTube Emma Le Teace, également connue sous le nom de @EmmaCruises, qui a décidé de soutenir Mercy Ships d`une manière inhabituelle. Après s`être sentie inspirée par la mission de Mercy Ships, elle a récolté des dons en vendant plus d`un millier de répliques de jouets de son chat, Hudson. 🐱⚓
Il y a une infinité de façons d`être créatif et de contribuer à rendre possible l`espoir et la guérison ! Découvrez comment vous pouvez participer à la mission https://bit.ly/3v4Wp9z
#CaptainHudson #EmmaCruises #MercyShips
📸: Emma Le Teace
More than 20 years ago, while giving birth, Astou was left with an injury that could not be treated where she lives. Then, ten years ago, a goiter started growing on her neck. Unable to afford treatment for either condition, if it could even be found, she could only hope and keep moving forward with resiliency. 💪
Recently, Astou received surgery on board the #AfricaMercy in Senegal. She is now free from both her seen and unseen burdens.
Visit the link in our bio to see Astou’s story! https://bit.ly/3poNwYk
#HospitalShip #Transformation #HopeAndHealing #MercyShips
📸: Judit Maier
We`re here to recognize Brittany Dewar, an outstanding Canadian nurse! Her constant determination and enthusiasm aid her well in her work as a Pediatric Ward Nurse! 🩺👏🎉
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Nous sommes ici pour rendre hommage à Brittany Dewar, une infirmière canadienne exceptionnelle ! Sa détermination et son enthousiasme constants l`aident bien dans son travail d`infirmière en service pédiatrique ! 🩺👏🎉
#NNW2023 #NationalNursingWeek #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Semainenationaledessoinsinfirmiers
Mercy Ships Canada wants to extend a big thank you to Wilfred Golbeck, organizer of the Faith, Fundraising, & Communications Symposium. Our very own Kornelia Eisfeld was in attendance and conducted a presentation! 🎉👏
"I enjoyed the sessions and being given the opportunity to present on behalf of Mercy Ships Canada on how to build a strong third-party event program."
If anyone would like further information, feel free to reach out to Kornelia at: [email protected]
#FaithFundraisingandCommunicationsSymposium #MercyShipsCanada #MercyShips
For this #NationalNursingWeek, we recognize one of our fantastic Canadian nurses, Erin Muyres! Working as the Medical Capacity Building Projects Director, she never fails to get things done always with a smile on her face! 🙌🏥👏
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En cette Semaine nationale des soins infirmiers, nous rendons hommage à l`une de nos fantastiques infirmières canadiennes, Erin Muyres ! Travaillant en tant que directrice des projets de renforcement des capacités médicales, elle ne manque jamais de faire avancer les choses, toujours avec le sourire ! 🙌🏥👏
#NNW2023 #NationalNursingWeek #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Semainenationaledessoinsinfirmiers
Today we celebrate Céline Léger, an amazing Canadian Nurse, for this #NationalNursingWeek! Working hard as a Pediatric Ward Nurse, we are thankful for Céline`s endless compassion! 🎉🤝❤️
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Aujourd`hui, nous célébrons Céline Léger, une infirmière canadienne extraordinaire, à l`occasion de la Semaine nationale des soins infirmiers ! Travaillant fort en tant qu`infirmière dans le service pédiatrique, nous sommes reconnaissants de la compassion sans fin de Céline ! 🎉🤝❤️
#NNW2023 #NationalNursingWeek #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Semainenationaledessoinsinfirmiers
This #NationalNursingWeek we celebrate an amazing Canadian Nurse, Marsha Tanner (far left)! Her hard work and dedication as an Ophthalmic Day Surgery Nurse truly knows no bounds! 👏👁️🩺
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En cette Semaine nationale des soins infirmiers, nous rendons hommage à Marsha Tanner, une infirmière canadienne extraordinaire ! Son travail acharné et son dévouement en tant qu`infirmière en chirurgie ophtalmique de jour ne connaissent vraiment aucune limite ! 👏👁️🩺
#NNW2023 #NationalNursingWeek #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada #Semainenationaledessoinsinfirmiers
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?