‘Truly humbling’

Posted by Mercy Ships staff on Aug 16, 2011 at 10:03 am

Editor's Note: The following copyrighted article appeared in the Basingstoke Gazette in the UK  and is reposted with permission, Please do not re-post without permission.

A THEATRE nurse at Basingstoke hospital has spoken about her “humbling experience” after spending three weeks volunteering on board the world’s largest charity hospital ship.

Philippa Jones, 56, spent time volunteering in Sierra Leone in the operating room on board the Africa Mercy medical ship.

She said: “Serving on the Africa Mercy as a volunteer theatre nurse offered just the right opportunity to help the people of the developing world, who are very poor and do not have access to free healthcare.

“Working on board, I heard and saw so many sad stories of unnecessary violence leading to disability and ruined lives. Yet many of the patients, children included, were so calm and grateful to receive treatment. It was a very humbling experience.

“It was difficult to grasp that almost everyone on the ship is a volunteer, including the families, and some people have lived on the ship for two years or longer, which is amazing.

“I would definitely volunteer again and I really recommend it to anyone looking to volunteer for charity.”

The ship is staffed by 450 volunteers from 40 nations who give up their time to help others. Volunteers range from surgeons and nurses, to cooks and engineers.

Judy Polkinhorn, executive director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “Volunteers are the lifeline of the charity and without them we simply would not exist. We are extremely grateful to people around the UK like Philippa, who continue to support us.”

To find out more about volunteering on board the hospital ship, or donating to the Mercy Ships cha-rity, visit mercyships.org.uk

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