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

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.

Teneng and Ibrahima: Gifts from God

Teneng and Ibrahima are maxillofacial patients born with a cleft lip and palate. But they now can smile to a new life!

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

Emmanuel’s tumor started as a swelling on the left side of his chin, and with time, continued to grow. ⁣
⁣
When he first learned about Mercy Ships, he went to a local health center at 2 a.m. for the chance to receive a surgical appointment. The day of that appointment on the #GlobalMercy in Freetown, #SierraLeone, stands out in his mind as a turning point.⁣
⁣
“The 12th of September, I will never forget in my life,” he said.⁣
⁣
Read the full story of Emmanuel’s life-changing operation: link in bio. 🔗⁣
⁣
#GlobalSurgery #SafeSurgery #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada⁣
⁣
---⁣
⁣
La tumeur d'Emmanuel a commencé par un gonflement sur le côté gauche de son menton, et avec le temps, elle a continué de grossir...⁣
⁣
Lorsqu'il a entendu parler de Mercy Ships, il s'est rendu à 2 heures du matin dans un centre de santé local pour avoir la chance d'obtenir un rendez-vous chirurgical. Le jour de son rendez-vous sur le #GlobalMercy restera dans sa mémoire.⁣
⁣
« Je n'oublierai jamais la date du 12 septembre », a-t-il déclaré.⁣
⁣
Découvrez l'histoire complète d'Emmanuel : lien en bio. 🔗⁣
⁣
#Chirurgiemondiale #Chirurguefiable #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada⁣
⁣
📸: Elizabeth Page Brumley
Easter is a time of reflection and new beginnings. Each contribution you make impacts lives, rejuvenates souls, and celebrates the heart of Easter itself. At Mercy Ships Canada, we embody the spirit of hope every day as we bring life-transforming surgeries to children and adults in Africa. 🌍🌟⁣
⁣
This Easter, help us provide the hope of new beginnings with free surgical care in Madagascar and Sierra Leone at the link in our bio! 🔗⁣
⁣
#HopeofNewBeginnings #Easter #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada⁣
⁣
---⁣
⁣
Pâques est une période de réflexion et de nouveaux départs. Chaque don a un impact direct sur des vies, nourrit l'âme et célèbre les valeurs même de la fête de Pâques. Chez Mercy Ships Canada, nous incarnons l'espoir chaque jour en offrant des chirurgies qui transforment la vie de petits et grands en Afrique. 🌍🌟⁣
En cette période de Pâques, aidez-nous à offrir l'espoir d'une nouvelle vie grâce à des soins chirurgicaux gratuits à Madagascar et en Sierra Leone ! ⁣
 ⁣
#EspoirDunNouvelleVie #Pâques #MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada
“All my worries are gone!”⁣
⁣
Six weeks after receiving cataract surgery on board the #GlobalMercy, 7-year-old Adama and his mother, Fatou, returned to the ship for a celebration with Mercy Ships #volunteers. 🎉⁣
⁣
After years of being sidelined because of the condition, she marveled at her son’s newfound exuberance.⁣
⁣
Because of your support, children like Adama are receiving life-changing surgeries! #ThankYou for being part of making hope and healing tangible.⁣
⁣
---⁣
⁣
« Tous mes soucis ont disparu ! »⁣
⁣
Six semaines après avoir été opérés de la cataracte à bord du #GlobalMercy, Adama, 7 ans, et sa mère Fatou, sont retournés sur le navire pour une célébration avec les #bénévoles de Mercy Ships. 🎉⁣
⁣
Après des années de mise à l'écart à cause de sa maladie, elle s'émerveille de l'épanouissement de son fils.⁣
⁣
Grâce à votre soutien, des enfants comme Adama bénéficient d'interventions chirurgicales qui transforment leur vie ! #Merci⁣
⁣
#GlobalSurgery #MercyShips #Chirurgiemondiale #MercyShipsCanada⁣
⁣
📸: Tirsa Tapia Zamora
Canadian nurse Cathy Mallie has served on and off with Mercy Ships since 2009, often side-by-side with her engineer husband Irik and even sometimes with her nurse daughter, Christa. 🇨🇦🩺⁣
⁣
After the #GlobalMercy docked in #SierraLeone, Cathy returned to her portside cabin on deck 10, but her particular #volunteer role this field service took her off the ship during business hours.⁣
⁣
“As part of the palliative care team, I’m out in the community every day, rather than just being in the hospital,” she explained. Working with national nurses, Cathy tended to patients unable to come to the ship for surgery: “It’s just very special to get to know people more intimately because you’re in their home.” ❤️⁣
⁣
---⁣
⁣
L'infirmière canadienne Cathy Mallie a servi avec Mercy Ships depuis 2009 aux côtés de son mari Irik, ingénieur, et parfois avec sa fille, Christa, infirmière. 🇨🇦🩺⁣
⁣
Quand le #GlobalMercy a accosté en #SierraLeone, Cathy est retournée dans sa cabine côté bâbord sur le pont 10, mais son rôle un peu particulier en tant que #bénévole l'a amenée à quitter le navire pendant les heures de travail.⁣
⁣
« En tant que membre de l'équipe de soins palliatifs, je suis tous les jours avec les communautés locales, plutôt qu'à l'hôpital du navire », explique-t-elle. En collaboration avec des infirmières nationales, Cathy s'est occupée de patients qui ne pouvaient pas venir se faire opérer sur le navire : « C'est très spécial d'apprendre à connaître les gens plus intimement parce qu'on est chez eux. » ❤️⁣
 ⁣
#MercyShips #MercyShipsCanada⁣
⁣
📸: Emily Frazier

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?