Mercy Ships

Pat1066

Hi All

Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated a fleet of hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilising people and resources worldwide.

Their programmes promote health and well-being by serving the urgent surgical needs of the forgotten poor and empowering developing communities.

Since 1978…


Mercy Ships has provided services in developing nations valued at more than £498 million, including the following:

• Performed more than 41,000 life-changing operations such as cleft lip and palate repair, cataract removal, orthopaedic procedures, facial reconstruction and obstetric fistula repair.
• Treated over 361,000 patients in village clinics with more than 408,000 medical procedures performed.
• Treated over 79,000 dental patients with more than 206,000 dental procedures performed.
• Trained over 14,900 local health care professionals who have in turn trained many others.
• Taught 112,000 local people in basic health care.
• Delivered more than £43 million worth of medical and other supplies and equipment.
• Completed over 1,058 community development projects focusing on water and sanitation, education, infrastructure development and agriculture.

http://www.mercyships.org.uk/about-us

Registered Charity No 1053055

MrsBartolozzi

They sound great, pity they feel the need to preach too.

Wings_of_Ambition

Interesting that staff have to pay to work for them. Can think of a few other charities that could run that system!

hethmar

My aunt has supported this charity for decades, she feels its one where the money she donates actually gets to the place it should be going (and she lived in Africa for 30 years and saw the corruption re other charities)

allstarkids

Mercy ships are greta I have always been very impressed with them when I have met them and seen their ships!

ImADeity

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

They sound great, pity they feel the need to preach too.

I dont think they are preaching - just letting us know what they do - and good on them ! :T

MrsBartolozzi

ImADeity wrote: »

I dont think they are preaching - just letting us know what they do - and good on them ! :T

I didn't mean they were bragging about what they do - I meant they seem to feel, as often seems to be the case with charities working in the developing world that they can't just bring medical help, they have to bring their church and religion too:

"As a faith-based charity, Mercy Ships emphasises partnership with local leaders, teachers and churches to bring a relevant message of lasting societal change based on biblical principles. Conferences and workshops cover issues like HIV/AIDS, micro-finance and child development.

Behind the work of Mercy Ships is an unwavering commitment to sharing the message of God’s love"

From here.

pogofish

Two things scunner me about this shower.

First, the preaching and high-pressure conversion environment.

Secondly, the involvement of the excerable Anne Gloag of Stagecoach fame. The one who even stood-up in court and admited she won't even talk to ordinary people! :mad:

Any good work they may do healthwise is totally eclipsed by this.

MrsBartolozzi

I had no idea about Anne Gloag's involvement. Thanks for mentioning it Pogofish. The area where I live has lots to be unhappy with her for , and yet the local primary school regularly raises funds for Mercy Ships! Makes me glad my sons are no longer there or I might feel compelled to mention this.

hethmar

Well I have to admit I dont know anything about Anne Gloag but whatever snob she is, I dont spose the people who benefit from the Mercy ships know of her either. I dont think one person can eclipse the good work they do.

Widelats

They are deeply religious, they go to West Africa a lot, you have to pay approximately £900 for your food and room on the ships, in Africa though there is more scams and corruption than anywhere else i know of, i know a guy who went on their ship and even the African police were trying to scam him out of any money he had saying his papers were not in order and trying to fine him on the spot (the police there have not been paid for over 2 years this is a way of life for them)

Its either the best or worst thing you can do is take a Mercy Ship depending on who you are and what is important to you in life, you will love it or hate it.