The Organization
Mercy Ships is an organization that converts cargo ships into mobile hospitals, with the intention of bringing hope and healing to nations that don't have access to surgery for life-threatening conditions. Since 1978, the organization has brought free surgical and medical care to more than two million people, entirely powered by volunteers. The current fleet includes the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy, the largest civilian hospital ship in the world.
The Mission
More than half the world's population lives within a hundred miles of a coastline. Globally, 5 billion people lack access to safe surgery. In sub-Saharan Africa specifically, there are only two physicians per 100,000 people. The best way to reach the greatest number of people in need is by hospital ship. Mercy Ships' goal is to bring hope and healing to these people, first by providing for immediate surgical needs, and second, by training medical professionals and strengthening the medical infrastructure already in place, so the impact keeps compounding long after the ship sails on to its next port.
The HOPE Center
The Hospital Out-Patient Extension (HOPE) Center is an inland facility that extends Mercy Ships' ability to serve the host nation and its people. The 300-bed facility is a safe place where patients and a caregiver who've traveled long distances can stay in the days before surgery, and again afterward while they heal.
My Role
I'll be serving as a HOPE Center Facilitator, overseeing day-to-day operations, scheduling, transportation, supply management, and supervising the local day crew that keeps the Center running.