So on the 17th September I said my goodbyes to the Africa Mercy. I was absolutely torn I can tell you. i have been stretched and challenged, laughed and cried, and experienced every emotional high and low I can possibly think of. Often times it can feel that these experiences have been more of a blessing to yourself than you blessing others, and this is no different. I wish I could share every single moment I have had with you, but I hope this blog has helped give you a bit of an insight into my beautiful world of the last 6 months. I will sorely miss everything, but mostly the sense of making a difference and being part of something out of this world, and not of my doing!
So to anyone who has prayed, thought about me, assisted financially, been on the ship or at home encouraging me, I thank you so much for being part of this amazing experience.
Many people have asked me 'what next?' Honestly right now I am not sure. I do know that Africa and nursing those in need have become even deeper set in my heart and I hope and pray it won't be long before I am 'living my dream' again. Watch this space!
The Blog of Grace Berry, 26 year old nurse from Birmingham, working onboard a mercy ship in Liberia
Where I'm situated
The ship is moored in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa.
Mercy Ships
Who are Mercy Ships?
Mercy ships is a Christian organization which has been close to my heart for many years. Their focus is on the 'forgotten poor' and on providing health care and surgery, that in the western world is readily available, but in the places they serve is a luxury that the people cannot afford.
The main way help is given is through the use of ships which have been converted into hospitals.
Volunteer staff (like me!) live and work on board to keep the ship running, and to run theatres where people who come to the ship receive vtal surgical equipment. Procedures range from minor surgery such as cataract surgery to more major surgery; cleft pallet repair, tumour removal and and repairal of damage caued in childbirth.
Communities are served, often from hundres of miles around, bringing those served back from isolation, and, in many cases prevent early and unnecessary deaths.
Since 1978 Mercy ships have:
- performed more than 32,500 surgeries.
- treated more than 212,000 people
- performed more than 183,00 dental treatments
- taught over 14,500 local health care and professional workers
- taught 95,000 local people in primary health care
I serve with Mercy Ships. Everything here, however, is my personal opinion and is not read or approved before it is posted. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships.
The main way help is given is through the use of ships which have been converted into hospitals.
Volunteer staff (like me!) live and work on board to keep the ship running, and to run theatres where people who come to the ship receive vtal surgical equipment. Procedures range from minor surgery such as cataract surgery to more major surgery; cleft pallet repair, tumour removal and and repairal of damage caued in childbirth.
Communities are served, often from hundres of miles around, bringing those served back from isolation, and, in many cases prevent early and unnecessary deaths.
Since 1978 Mercy ships have:
- performed more than 32,500 surgeries.
- treated more than 212,000 people
- performed more than 183,00 dental treatments
- taught over 14,500 local health care and professional workers
- taught 95,000 local people in primary health care
I serve with Mercy Ships. Everything here, however, is my personal opinion and is not read or approved before it is posted. Opinions, conclusions and other information expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercy Ships.
3 comments:
Hi Grace it's Hannah Wray! How are you? I hope you've had a lovely Christmas.
Your mum and dad are staying with us tonight and they've just shown us the DVD of your time on the Mercy Ship, which looked so amazing. I've read some of your blog posts and the things you and the rest of the team have done for all those men, women and children are just so fantastic.
I also think I spotted one of my friends from uni in one of the photos, her name is Sanna Aspray? She said she wasn't working on the ship but I don't know if she was maybe volunteering nearby. It might not have been her but it would be a coincidence if it was!
Anyway, I hope you're well and will hopefully get to see you in the New Year :)
Love, Hannah xxx
God bless
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