Elaine Welch, a Concord nurse, spent several weeks using her skills to help patients with Mercy Ships off the coast of Madagascar. She answered some questions about her time on the sea.
How did you discover Mercy Ships?
I heard about the Mercy Ships when it was presented at a mission conference in the fall of 2014. A couple who had worked on the ship for several years came to Christ Church and talked about how they had been part of the ministry. Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated ships in developing nations since 1978, with the mission to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor. The presentation at the conference got me interested, so I continued to look into it and made application. I’ve been a nurse for a long time, and being able to use that to be a small part of the incredible work that Mercy Ships does was a privilege.
Did you get to choose where you would go or does the organization decide?
The Africa Mercy goes to one port per field service which runs from August through May. In 2015-16 was in Toamasina, Madagascar. I had the privilege of serving with them for eight weeks during February and March this year. Next field service they plan to be in Benin in West Africa.
What was it like to work on a hospital boat?
Working on the ship with people from all over the world was a great experience. More than 300 people, all volunteers, from 33 different countries live and work together. My job was as an outpatients nurse. Our workspace was actually in a tent inside a warehouse on the dock. Patients come to the ship for surgery and recovery in the hospital unit onboard. When discharged, they stay in the Hope Center housing, while coming to the outpatient and therapy tents for follow up.
What services did the ship offer?
Africa Mercy is a ship designed for surgical care. Screenings were done in 11 towns throughout Madagascar and patients brought to the ship for free care. We saw patients with burn contractures, cleft lip and palate, thyroid goiters, orthopedics problems, tumors, just to name a few. All people that wouldn’t have means otherwise to get the care they need. The patients and families who are served by the ship are very grateful for the care they receive – it is really life changing. Limbs that are contracted because of burns regain function; tumors that can be life threatening are excised; women who have been leaking urine due to fistulas from birthing injuries are cured; the ship has other outreaches as well, like the dental clinic – they just reached 7,000 patients treated this field service.
What was your experience like in Madagascar?
The country of Madagascar itself is beautiful. I had the opportunity to see some of the countryside and visit a nature reserve with several species of lemurs in the wild. Didn’t happen to spot any penguins though
Is this something you would consider doing again?
Yes, this is most definitely something I would love to do again.