Thank You Sierra Leone!

Posted by Mercy Ships staff on Dec 28, 2011 at 11:12 am

Each year as a Field Service comes to a close, Mercy Ships holds an event to show our gratitude for our host country that provides us with countless resources while we are serving their country. The event honors and thanks them for allowing us to call their nation “home” for 10 months. On November 23, 2011, Mercy Ships hosted a Thank You Reception for its partners in Sierra Leone.   

The event was held on the Africa Mercy, which has been moored in Freetown, Sierra Leone, since February. In attendance were 80 in-country partners, including the Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation Haja Zainab Bangura and U.S. Ambassador Michael Owen. Also attending were 25 Africa Mercy crew members, including Captain Tim Tretheway, Government Liaison Pierre Christ, Managing Director Donovan Palmer and Executive Assistant Mae Palmer.   

The event began with refreshments in the Africa Mercy dining room, where guests met with senior and middle managers. Afterwards, guests were led to the International Lounge, where the program continued with a presentation featuring highlights of the 2011 Sierra Leone Field Service. “It’s amazing what partnership can bring about,” said emcee Agnes Biney, who works in the Human Resources Department on the Africa Mercy. “What we have achieved here wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Following the presentation, Patient Life Coordinator Gemma Woods introduced Sahr Dauda, a patient who received orthopedic surgery on the Africa Mercy in Sierra Leone. Following his introduction, Sahr told the guests about his experience with Mercy Ships. “Before Mercy Ships came, I couldn’t walk or play football. I couldn’t go to school,” Sahr said. “Now I can run. I can go to school. I tell Mercy Ships thank you for what they have done in my life, and I also want to give thanks to the president and the government of Sierra Leone, especially the Minister of Health and Sanitation, for allowing Mercy Ships to come here.”

After Sahr spoke, Africa Mercy Managing Director Donovan Palmer summarized the challenges and achievements of the past ten months and outlined some of the goals that Mercy Ships hopes to achieve in Sierra Leone in the future. “Through our partnerships, we hope to continue to draw on strengths that are not our own as we seek to achieve our common goals,” Donovan said. “We boldly press ahead, believing that if we work and pray hard, much is possible. We look forward to many more good things to come in Sierra Leone.”

The program concluded with a speech from the Honorable Minister of Health and Sanitation Haja Zainab Bangura, who thanked Mercy Ships for the work they have done in Sierra Leone and expressed her hope for continued partnership. “In the short time you have been here, you have given so many people a new lease on life,” she said. “We thank you for your dedication, for the joy with which you do your work and for the joy that you have brought to us. I won’t say goodbye. I will only say farewell, because I know we will see you again in Sierra Leone.”

Story by Catherine Cooper
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Debra Bell

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