An introduction to Mercy Ships Australia
Mercy Ships Rotary Foundation Strategic Partner Mercy Ships is a Rotary Foundation Strategic Partner and receives a packaged grant for disease prevention and treatment. The goals of the Strategic Partnership: To build local capacity through training opportunities for health care professionals. To provide surgical and other medical interventions to those in need. The Strategic partnership consists of Vocational Training Teams (VTTs) to support the professional development of doctors, surgeons and health care workers. Using a needs assessment done by Mercy Ships, the VTTs work with Mercy Ships to provide services and training. Training can be conducted on or off the ship in local hospitals or educational institutions.
Vocational Training Teams Rotary has currently funded two Vocational Training Teams serving with Mercy Ships including: Team 1: Training 60 health care professionals in Ignace Deen and Donka Hospitals in Conakry, Guinea about disease control and reducing hospital infection Team 2: Training five senior surgeons and four first year ophthalmic physician interns from Guinea. Training in cataract surgery and related eye health topics was conducted at DESSO (University of Conakry School of Ophthalmology) and Bartimé clinic in Conakry. During 2013 Congo field service there will be 3 Vocational Training Teams, details are still being confirmed.
Rotary International Partnership With Mercy Ships Since 1987 Rotary International district clubs have supported Mercy Ships and have provided much needed funding for: The ophthalmic suite and lounge onboard the Africa Mercy Medical and pharmaceutical supplies and fuel for the generator. Funding of surgeries including maxillofacial and ophthalmic. Surgical capacity training of surgeons and other health care workers in Ghana, Benin, Togo, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Mercy Ships Transforms Lives Mercy Ships is a medical charity that is unique, we operate the world's largest independent hospital ship, Africa Mercy. We provide FREE surgical operations and medical care to the poor who cannot afford or do not have access to medical care. We support our Australian surgeons, doctors nurses and other staff who volunteer their services and pay for their own expenses so we can treat more people. We have transformed the lives of more than 2.42 million children and adults in the least developed countries for over 35 years.
Mercy Ships Helps Local Communities We deliver life changing surgical and medical care and partner with local communities to help themselves through training local doctors, building clinics and health educational programs.
Helping The Forgotten Poor Over the last 10 years we have conducted 34 field services in 10 African countries ranked by the United Nations Development Index as the least developed countries. Our current field mission is the Republic of Congo, where there is only 1 doctor for every 10,000 people. In Africa, children and adults live with conditions we don t see in the west, if left untreated, many of these conditions can be fatal. Cyrus with large goitre. Abel with severely bowed legs.
We transform lives by providing state of the art surgeries and medical care including: Our Life Saving Surgeries Maxillofacial surgeries General surgeries Reconstructive Plastic surgeries Orthopaedic surgeries Ophthalmic surgeries treat facial tumours, cleft lips and cleft palates treat thyroid, goitre and hernias treat severe burns, congenital abnormalities and tumours treat deformities, club feet and bowed legs treat eye diseases and congenital cataracts Cyrus can now breathe properly after general surgery. Obstetric and Fistula surgeries includes treating gynaecological problems Abel can now walk after orthopaedic surgery.
Our Endorsements I applaud Mercy Ships in their efforts of transformational development as they make a lasting difference in a world of need. Mercy Ships has committed themselves to the Vision of an African renaissance in their vision of bringing hope and healing to the continent of Africa. I salute the vision and mission of Mercy Ships and ask that you join me in supporting their noble work and contribute to make this world a better place. Nelson Mandela, Former President, South Africa For many years now, Mercy Ships has provided medical services for the poor throughout The world. You re reaching out to people in need feeding the hungry, caring for the lonely, and giving urgent medical help to those who need it. I have every hope you will continue to reach more and more patients in the years beyond. I know you will continue your mission of bringing hope and healing to those who need it most. George W. Bush, Former President, USA Their work goes beyond healing and comforting the sick. It provides a sense of hope that is badly needed in the places where they work. I am delighted to give my support to Mercy Ships. Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister, UK
"Whether providing vital medical assistance and education or offering your construction and agricultural expertise, the dedicated workers of Mercy Ships have brought new hope to countless people around the world." Bill Clinton, Former President, United States of America Founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation "Mercy Ships has shown great compassion on the Liberian people for a little more than a year since docking off the Liberian shores. On behalf of the Liberian people, I wish to thank all the volunteers on the ship who come from all over the world for their sacrifice and the comfort they have given to so many poor and needy." Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President, Liberia "I know I speak on the behalf of many, many millions of people when I say thank you very much to all of you for your dedication, for your caring, for the gifting of yourself in the way in which you do. You are wonderful, thank you." Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus, South Africa
Our Partners Mercy Ships work is only possible with the generous support from our Australian and International kind Partners.
Donations Can Change Lives Make a difference for as little as $25 $25 supports a patient onboard for one day $50 provides Dental surgery for 1 child $100 provides Eye surgeries for 2 children with crossed eyes $250 provides Orthopaedic surgery for 1 child suffering from bowed legs or club feet $500 provides Reconstructive Plastic surgery for burn contractures for 2 children $1,000 provides Cleft Palate surgery for 4 children $2,000 provides Surgery to remove life threatening tumours for 5 children
The Surgery Ship Documentary This documentary will premiere on SBS at 8.30pm on the 10 th December, 2013 and provides an exclusive insight into Mercy Ships volunteers who provide life changing surgeries to Africa s desperate poor. An unforgettable experience, don t miss it. Please see www.mercyships.org.au homepage for the trailer.
Contact details If you would like to discuss how your Club can contribute to Mercy Ships Australia or you would like further information please contact: Alan Burrell Managing Director 0466 210 234 alan.burrell@mercyships.org Anne Wood General Manager 0419 992 851 anne.wood@mercyships.org