Mercy Ships

A global charity operating hospital ships in developing nations since 1978, we bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor by serving all people without regard for race, gender, or religion. Long-term and short-term volunteer opportunities typically fill service or specialized medical or technical positions.

Many people in Africa have little or no access to healthcare. There are only 2.5 physicians per 10,000 people in Africa, compared to 25 physicians per 10,000 in the U.S. So the Africa Mercy brings volunteer medical teams and sterile operating rooms directly to people who would otherwise go without care.

Over 50% of the population lives within 100 miles of the coast. Many nations lack clean water, reliable electricity, medical facilities and personnel. Our ships deliver a state-of-the-art hospital to port cities, providing a controlled, safe and clean environment for patients—and volunteers.

Mercy Ships began sailing on our mission to provide hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor in 1978. Each year, we’ve been able to reach more people to provide life-changing surgeries.

In 2016, 1,551 life-changing surgeries were performed, as well 22,466 dental procedures. Over 6,900 medical consultations were made, and over 1,700 local African healthcare professional were trained. Every port brings new challenges, new successes—and new lives transformed forever.

At any given time during its nearly 40-year history, Mercy Ships has had between 1 and 3 ships in service. Currently, the Africa Mercy is the only Mercy Ship in service, but it represents greater capacity than all prior hospital ships combined. Since the deployment of the Africa Mercy, Mercy Ships has been committed to adding another ship to the fleet.

It’s the world’s largest civilian hospital ship providing state-of-the-art care to those in desperate need—free of charge.

Our History

Don Stephens founded Mercy Ships in 1978 with a vision of following the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus of bringing hope and healing to the world’s poorest nations. His vision was realized by providing free, safe surgery and medical care to the most underserved communities in the world. How he decided to go about that was different than anything he ever could have dreamed of on his own. Instead of building hospitals in the countries we serve, we bring the hospital to them through state-of-the-art hospital ships, staffed entirely by volunteers, to the ports of African countries to perform surgeries, provide dental care, and train medical professionals so we leave the healthcare systems in those countries stronger than it’s ever been.

This mission began with one small ship in 1978. We are now a two-ship fleet, with the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy serving multiple nations every year.

Our Mission

We follow the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.

Our Values

Love God. Serve people. Do everything with excellence and integrity.

What We Do

We bring our volunteer-staffed hospital ships to the poorest nations in Africa to perform free surgeries and train medical professionals.

Why Ships?
Because 50% of the world’s population lives near a coast. Our ships are the most efficient way to reach them with the medical care they desperately need.

Why surgeries and medical care?
Because 1.6 billion people suffer from treatable but possibly deadly conditions. We believe they have a right to the care that will not only save, but transform their lives and the lives of their communities.

Why volunteers?
Because we want our donors’ generosity to go as far as possible. Staffing 100% of the positions on our ships with volunteers means we can serve more people, save more lives, and have a greater impact in the countries we serve.

Who can serve?
You don’t have to be a surgeon or a nurse to come serve with us. We need teachers, mechanics, chaplains, cooks, hospitality services, and so much more. If you have a heart to follow God and serve the people of Africa, then we have a place for you.

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