Mercy Ships, the global, faith-based healthcare charity that provides free surgeries and healthcare services to the world’s most disadvantaged people through a fleet of hospital ships, recently announced a unique set of volunteer opportunities for people in the ophthalmic industry who are interested to serve in Africa in 2024 and 2025.

“These new volunteer opportunities provide a unique way to grow as a professional, while giving back and caring for people in great need from hospital ships in Africa.”

If you are not familiar with Mercy Ships, for more than 45 years they have worked with governments and global partners to provide medical care for people who have limited access to safe surgery by deploying the largest civilian hospital ships in the world.

The hospital ships deployed by Mercy Ships are filled with state-of-the-art medical equipment and a global volunteer crew of doctors, nurses, ophthalmic professionals, medical staff, technicians, teachers, and other caring people driven to make the world a better place.

Every day, life transformation happens for patients like Seydina, who at the age of 8 had spent his entire childhood with severely impaired vision due to cataracts. The condition was one his grandfather, Alioune, had shared for a lifetime. “Successful surgery – we rarely see it in our countries,” said Alioune after his grandson returned home from surgery with Mercy Ships. “Since he came home, I’ve stopped worrying and I’m very happy.”

“Volunteering with Mercy Ships can provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a new culture, learn from other volunteers from all over the world and give back. We encourage anyone who is curious to reach out and learn more about ways they can serve.”

Based on your experience and timing of need, you can serve for a period of a week or longer, ranging up to 2 years!

Those interested in learning more can go to: https://opportunities.mercyships.org/how-to-apply/

You can also contact us at: info@christianeye.net, or Kelley Denny from Mercy Ships at: kelley.denny@mercyships.org.

MORE ABOUT MERCY SHIPS

Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the development of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy®. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an African Service Center in Dakar, Senegal.

For more information, visit www.mercyships.org and follow Mercy Ships on social media.