Volunteer Opportunities in Africa
Looking for a humanitarian mission?
There are many volunteer opportunities in Africa available for you. Mercy Ships volunteers bring safe and accessible healthcare to Africa.
Volunteer opportunities are available in different sectors:
How Many Volunteers go on our Hospital Ships Each Year?
Each year as many as 2,500 volunteer
professionals from over 60 countries serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
Why You are Needed
Each year as many as 1,550 volunteers from 60 nations serve on board our fleet doing humanitarian work.
Volunteer in Africa: Find Your Place on Board
Healthcare Volunteers
Volunteer opportunities are available in the operation room, hospital, radiology, pharmacy and more.
Management and Information Services
Volunteer opportunities are available in HR, IT, hospitality, finances, school departments and more.
Marine, Trade and Operations
Volunteer opportunities are available in navigation, engineering, logistics, supply, operation departments and more.
Volunteer Abroad for Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships volunteers onboard our hospital ships are serving in both medical and non-medical positions. Check out our volunteer opportunities to serve in humanitarian work and join the Canadian community onboard.
We are here to help you in your volunteer journey!
Would you like to discover the stories of Canadian volunteers onboard? Inspiring journeys, challenges met, lives transformed. Found out here!
We are so excited that you are interested in learning more about serving with us. This page provides help with the most common questions we receive.
Volunteer Crew Testimonials Doing Humanitarian Work
"Through Mercy Ships, I feel like I can make a very real contribution to bridging that gap while putting my skills to work for those who don't live in a country where health care is free, reliable and easily accessible."
Danita Gilbert
Registered Nurse
"One of the many wonderful aspects of working with Mercy Ships is the ability to teach and mentor trainees during our field services – from our own communities, as well as from Africa. And these relationships will continue far beyond the time we have together."
Dr. Sherif Emil
Pediatric Surgeon, Montreal
“I love that Mercy Ships brings people from all over the world trained in various places and careers to use their knowledge and abilities to make miracles happen every single day.”
Read more
Tara McHardy
Registered Nurse, Calgary
“Volunteering with Mercy Ships taught me to be bold, to step out of my comfort zone and do things that challenge me. I enjoyed my time so much – I have been given experiences and memories and friends that I wouldn’t change for the world. I would definitely volunteer again.”
Sonya Van Hove
Dental Associate, White Rock, BC
“I began volunteering for the Mercy Ships Club on the University of Victoria’s campus. I really enjoyed helping out and fundraising and wanted to actually help on board the ship. I want to be able to make a difference in the lives of people who are unable to access appropriate health care.”
Jesse Spooner
Housecleaner, Campbell River, BC
“I saw a documentary about 15 years ago in a hotel room and I sat down on the end of the bed and wept and a voice inside me said ‘one day you will serve on that ship’ it never left me and came to mind often in big and small ways.”
Joan Ross
Volunteer Surgeon, Sarnia, ON
"I am developing my adaptability, tolerance and open-mindedness. My relationship with patients is much more than in a "normal" hospital. We are a great team and we are close to our patients."
Aude Pull
Registered Nurse, France
“One of the men commented that the OR staff thought the hospital had received new instruments. Once they realized the reason for their shiny instruments was thanks to proper cleaning, they commended the men for doing a great job. This has been really encouraging for them...”
Christina Fast
Founder of Sterile Processing Education Charitable Trust (SPECT)
Volunteer Opportunities With Mercy Ships
Find your place onboard
Partner with us today, and don’t miss the opportunity to help change someone’s life forever. Your support and volunteer efforts bring hope and healing to so many in great need.
Not the right time?
Want to serve but it's not the right time? Consider helping volunteers in their fundraising efforts.