Many women in Africa are injured in childbirth. It’s called obstetric fistula or vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). It usually results in a stillborn baby, incontinence, and social isolation. However, a free surgery onboard our hospital ship restores hope. Listen as crew member Tracey Wall explains.

Matthew Walzer, a 16-year-old with cerebral palsy, posted a letter on social media. He said he was going to college in a couple of years and couldn’t tie his own shoes.

Once a year, our hospital ship docks for repairs before heading back to the next field service. Crew member Sally* joined the ship in the Canary Islands. She became ill and was admitted to the hospital, a 30-minute walk from the ship.

In the developed world, cleft lips and palates are quickly corrected by surgery. But, in poor countries, people suffer for years with these disfigurements. Listen to crew member Brenda Sossou’s experience.

Sharing Dots is an organization that provides marketing and media help to humanitarian organizations in Asia. Founders Bryon and Lorilee Lippincott say, “We both have a burning desire for every human being to feel they have value.”

Mercy Ships is truly a global organization, and our crew members come from over 40 nations. Dr. Gary Parker describes this multicultural community of mercy-givers.

Becky Johns volunteered as a ward nurse onboard our hospital ship in the Republic of Congo. She shared this New Year’s reflection.

Again and again the plight of South Africa’s AIDS orphans replayed in Yvonne Greig’s mind. And God’s mercy-seed was planted.

Mercy Ships hires local people in the countries we serve to work as day-crew. Edward Carew is from Sierra Leone, and he joined us in 2011. He serves as an engine hand in the engineering department onboard our hospital ship.

One day, Nurse Noel Grant was working at her desk on our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, when she had an unexpected visitor!