Inside: Read how Theogette pursued hope – against all odds
Plus: Celebrating 30 years of amazing friends like you!
What we do
Mercy Ships brings love and expert care to women, men, and children who need medical help.
Safe surgery is out of reach for nine out of ten people in sub-Saharan Africa. People are robbed of years of healthy life, for conditions that are easily treatable. This is unjust.
With your help, we can change this. You can be part of providing free, life-changing surgeries on our hospital ships.
You can provide training for medical professionals and help to rebuild health clinics. Together, we can transform lives for decades to come.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue of Onboard magazine, which celebrates all that you make possible.
Thirty years ago this month, Mercy Ships opened its first office in the UK. I’m so inspired by our community of supporters, volunteers, and staff who have helped to build up Mercy Ships from every corner of the UK and Northern Ireland. You can read more on pages 8-9.
You’re making a world of difference
I’ve seen how your support brings urgent medical care to patients like Theogette in Madagascar. Read her story on pages 4-5.
Not only that – but your gifts, time, and prayers all go a long way towards creating lasting change, long after our ships depart.
I hope our Lent Calendar (pages 6-7) encourages you to continue to show God’s love and kindness this season.
You may have heard that Dr Michelle White recently started as our Global Chief Executive Officer of Mercy Ships. A long term supporter and volunteer from the UK, Michelle brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the role.
I’m confident she’s exactly the right person to lead Mercy Ships into the next chapter.
Thank you, as always, for journeying with us.
Shelley Pigott Executive Director Mercy Ships UK
Images: (Left to right) Dr Michelle White as a medical volunteer in 2005. Staff and volunteers enjoy a Christmas lunch in the Mercy Ships UK office in the early 2000s. Our flagship, the Anastasis
How a toothache turned my life upside down
Theogette has felt the devastating effects of poor healthcare on her life. But despite everything, she’s always held onto hope for healing.
Can you remember the last time you had a toothache?
The kind of toothache you just can’t ignore. Every time you chew your food. Every time you drink. Every day it hurts.
Theogette knows this pain better than most. She started to suffer from toothaches more than ten years ago, while she was working on her farm in rural Madagascar.
Theogette turned to her local dentist for help. Her tooth was extracted – but in its place a small, painful lump began to grow.
Over time, an aggressive tumour grew from her jaw, filling her mouth and half of her face.
No one in her village had ever seen anything like it before.
“People said I was sick and contagious,” recalls Theogette. “They didn’t want me to come close to them. My husband left me.”
Alone, afraid, and ashamed, Theogette still carried on as best she could. “I have to go to the farm to be able to feed my children, although the swelling hurts when I work for too long.”
Theogette endured ten years of pain, isolation, and stigma. Until one day, she had a phone call from her nephew, telling her that Mercy Ships was coming to Madagascar. Her hope was rekindled.
Long road to healing
Theogette had to travel hundreds of miles to reach our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. But she was so committed. Nothing would hold her back from getting the treatment she needed.
The first day, Theogette travelled by canoe from her village. Then she took a ferry to cross to other side of the island, before travelling for a third day over rough roads in a Mercy Ships vehicle.
When she arrived, Theogette was welcomed at our HOPE Centre by a team of dedicated volunteers. They quickly saw that Theogette was undernourished and underweight. She had struggled to eat for years with her tumour.
On the day of her surgery, Theogette smiled and gave a thumbs-up, saying, “Faly!” which is Malagasy for “happy.” At last, the day she had always hoped for was here.
“I hope that, after the surgery, I can go back to the farm and be able to work and feed my children,” she said.
A new life awaits
Theogette’s courage never wavered, even during her intense recovery. With a feeding tube in place and the need for extended care, she missed her children deeply.
“We just want to ensure that she’s able to eat the food,” said volunteer dietitian, Janet Stucky.
“It takes a lot of good nutrition and a lot of calories to heal.”
Weeks later, the moment Theogette longed for had finally arrived. Smiling and radiant, she waved goodbye to the Mercy Ships team and began her long journey home.
For the first time in a decade, she could enjoy her life unburdened by the tumour. Her courage and commitment had carried her through.
Will you help someone like Theogette?
In sub-Saharan Africa – where so many can’t afford the basics like a toothbrush and toothpaste – dental care is often out of reach. There’s someone just like Theogette who needs your help – now. Your gift today could help save them from years of pain – and give them their life back.
Give hope and healing
● Your gift of £20 could provide a hygiene care pack for a patient like Theogette, so she’ll feel loved as soon as she steps onto our hospital ship.
● Your gift of £40 could pay for a first visit to the dentist, and a toothbrush and toothpaste, to give someone a healthy smile.
● A generous gift of £60 could pay for emergency dental surgery, saving someone from an oral disease.
Your gift can bring expert care to vulnerable communities, and training for healthcare professionals.
Give now by filling in the form at the back of this magazine. Or send your gift faster at mercyships.org.uk/hope
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
ASH WEDNESDAY
“We went with sickness and came home with joy.”
See Musu’s journey to healing and how you can help: mercyships.org.uk/lent 19
Could you take up a new challenge this Lent? Go to mercyships.org.uk/fundraising for ideas.
Every day, we see love in action on board our hospital ships. Visit mercyships.org.uk to learn more!
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Could you share your time and talents on our hospital ships? Go to mercyships.org.uk/volunteer
“Being an answer to prayer is incredible,” says Rachel Greenland, volunteer nurse.
Brainstorm creative ways you can show love for one another this week. 25 26 3 4 5
On the day of her operation, Theogette smiled, gave a thumbs up, and said one simple word: “Happy!”
Perform a small, unexpected act of kindness for someone in your life today.
Today’s a great day for some spring cleaning! Can you donate anything at home to Mercy Ships? 9 10 11 12
“A new command I give you: Love one another.”
(John 13:34)
Take a moment to refocus. How can you take care of yourself and feel refreshed this week?
#DIDYOUKNOW
It’s Waffle Tuesday on the Africa Mercy! 18
How can you show someone that they’re loved today?
Eat a simple meal today and donate the money you save.
Share Armane’s story and inspire your friends: mercyships.org.uk/hope
Spend time praying today for those who are struggling without healthcare.
“Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Saint Mother Teresa
Will you show love by helping someone like Theogette receive free surgery? mercyships.org.uk/hope
After cataract surgery, Mamadou needed special glasses to protect his sight. A gift of £10 could buy a pair of UV glasses.
Spread joy simply by smiling at everyone you see today.
“I hope that, after the surgery, I can go back to the farm and feed my kids.”
Theogette
“Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.”
(Micah 6:8)
“Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.”
Helen James
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Will you help a child like Armane heal from surgery? Just £20 will buy sterile bandages.
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MAUNDY THURSDAY
Our volunteers show the love of Jesus on our hospital ships every day. Pray for them today.
One of Mercy Ships’ earliest vessels, the Anastasis, means resurrection.
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A WELCOME GIFT
Your gift of £15 could provide a hygiene care pack to a patient who has travelled for days to reach our hospital ship.
February - 2 April 27 28 1 March
Your kindness is an incredible gift. Today, pray about how God is calling you toward kindness this season.
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Thank God for showing mercy to patients like Theogette.
“You will cry for help, and God will say: Here am I.”
(Isaiah 58:1-12)
Write and share a handwritten note to encourage someone.
6 7
Write down three things you’re grateful for today.
13
Spend time praying for mums around the world.
Go for a spring walk. Ask God to open your heart to love and mercy.
14
Write a card to your mother or a special woman in your life.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’’
(John 11:25)
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Pray for more healthy smiles for people like Theogette.
Can you give up your phone today, and instead make time to pray or read a book?
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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
“She is clothed with strength and dignity”
(Proverbs 31:25)
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MOTHER’S DAY
“He was filled with compassion.”
(Luke 15:11-32)
WORLD ORAL HEALTH DAY 21 27 28 29
There are so many ways you can help. Call our friendly team on 01438 727800 to chat about all your options!
Could you share about Mercy Ships in your community? Email info@mercyships.org.uk to find out more.
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“Mary anointed Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair.”
(John 12:1-8)
Are you brave enough to dress head to toe in green today? Let people know you’re dressing up for Mercy Ships, so they can sponsor you.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son...”
(John 3:16)
Spend time in worship today praising the Lord for his goodness.
“Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey.”
(Zechariah 9:9)
“He is not here; he has risen!”
(Luke 24:6)
kindness calendar 2026
Thir ty years of
It’s been 30 years this month – a lifetime ago – since the Mercy Ships UK office first opened its doors.
We spoke to three members of our Mercy Ships family, and how they’re still inspired to change lives for good.
“As a dentist I knew my skills were needed”
Desmond lives in Dorset, and he’s been giving to Mercy Ships for 30 years.
I served on board the Anastasis from 1996 to 2002. I was a dentist and a maxillofacial surgeon. We served patients in Madagascar, Benin, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and Guinea.
As a dentist, I knew my qualifications were needed to help people facing poverty, and my Christian faith motivated me to serve.
I have good memories of my time on board. It was professionally interesting and spiritually eye-opening to see how living out the gospel can transform lives.
I remember one patient called Ce Mamy, a young man from interior Guinea, who had massive benign tumours on his upper and lower face. His surgery was more complex than normal Mercy Ships operations. At first he was extremely shy, but after a few weeks on the hospital ward, his true character broke out and he was soon the life of the ward. His laughter was infectious! What struck me was that Ce Mamy could have died slowly and uncomfortably from the tumour. So we helped save him from the brink of death, and he returned home full of life to his village in Guinea.
Image: Raksha and her friend, Susanne Burmester, in front of the Anastasis.
Image: Desmond on board the Anastasis, more than 20 years ago.
transforming lives
“Mercy Ships is very close to our hearts”
Peter and Jean live in Cheshire. Peter has given regularly to Mercy Ships for 30 years, while Jean often speaks to her church.
Mercy Ships will always be very close to mine and Pete’s hearts.
When the Anastasis came to London in 1995, we went to visit, and Peter started giving after that because he saw the people on board were so wonderful.
Our faith has kept us giving to Mercy Ships all this time. I’m a Reader (Licensed Lay Minister) in the Church of England. In one of my sermons, I talked to my church about a woman in Togo who walked for miles to get treatment for her daughter on the hospital ship. Her determination saved her daughter’s life.
You know, I wanted to show my church how far this woman had come from her rural village to get to Mercy Ships.
With our NHS, it’s very easy, you just book an appointment with your GP. But in sub-Saharan Africa, people are facing such hardships from poor healthcare. Like when children born with cleft lips don’t get surgery for a long time, it affects their whole lives.
Mercy Ships not only takes care of people now, they also support medics to provide better healthcare in their community.
“I don’t just work here –I belong here”
Raksha shares why she’s been committed to working at Mercy Ships for 22 years.
I’ve been part of Mercy Ships for a long time. I started working in the UK office in February 2004.
At that time, my daughter hadn’t been born yet. Fast forward to today – my little girl is now 20 years old and studying at Cambridge University. So quite a bit of time has passed since those early days!
Seeing how much the charity has grown over the years has been incredible.
What hasn’t changed is the sense of belonging I’ve felt from day one. Mercy Ships was my first job in this country, and I’ll never forget how instantly welcome I felt. There was always a strong community spirit in the office, and that culture is still alive today. Mercy Ships isn’t just where I work – it’s where I belong.
As Finance Manager, my role is to make sure that every pound entrusted to us by our supporters is allocated exactly as intended. Over the years, I’ve seen funds make an incredible impact in subSaharan Africa, from mentoring surgeons to safe surgeries on our hospital ships, and free vaccines during Covid-19.
At Mercy Ships, we embody love, healing, and compassion by offering free surgical care and training where it’s most needed.
Image: Raksha and her husband Roshan visit the Anastasis in 2004.
*This total is correct at the time of writing, but more funds may still be raised for this appeal. Thank you so much for your generosity.
Thank you for your amazing generosity
Do you remember Armella from our Christmas Appeal? She was born with a huge, heavy tumour behind her ear. Every day, her mum Caessah feared the worst.
Thanks to kind friends like you, Armella had free surgery on our hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, in Madagascar.
Her mum will always be grateful: “Seeing my child healed fills my heart with joy. I am so happy. She will have a good life.”
Thank you so much for your support. You’ve donated an incredible £677,00. £475,000 of which will be matched,
We’re excited to share that the Global Mercy will sail to Ghana in August.
thanks to very generous partners in the shipping community.
Your gifts not only bring love and care to children like Armella. You’re also providing training for healthcare professionals, so they can save more lives, well into future.
Thank you for bringing hope and healing!
Mercy Ships is honoured to return to Ghana at the invitation of His Excellency, President John Dramani Mahama, who said:
“Health is not a luxury – it is the foundation of freedom. It is the currency of our dignity. It is our greatest public good and so I am delighted to welcome Mercy Ships to Ghana this year.”
During the forthcoming service, patients from across Ghana will have access to specialised surgeries, including cataract, obstetric fistula repair, and paediatric surgeries.
Image: (Above) The Global Mercy at sea. (Right) Mercy Ships board members, staff, and partners visit Ghana’s Minister of Health.
Dates for your diary…
30 March – 3 April: If you’re heading to Spring Harvest in Skegness, we’ll see you there!
6 – 10 April: We’ll be at Spring Harvest in Minehead too. See what’s on at springharvest.org
How you can help
As the days get brighter, why not step outdoors this season, and help transform lives?
Give
Help transform lives every month with a regular gift. Go to mercyships.org.uk/donate
Fundraise
22 – 23 April: Tune in to Premier Praise radio for two days of uplifting music, fun for the family, and a special appeal from Mercy Ships! Listen at premier.org.uk/premier-radio or download the Premier app on your phone.
28 – 30 August: For all you early birds, look out for 50% off tickets to this unmissable festival. We’ll share more news later in the spring. You can even join us as a volunteer – so watch this space!
Have your say! Scan now
We’d love to hear what you think of this magazine. Your thoughts really matter to us and help us plan for future issues. Please take two minutes to share your feedback. Let us know by taking our survey at mercyships.org.uk/survey
From cake sales to dog walking, there are so many fun ways to fundraise. Find out more at mercyships.org.uk/fundraise
Leave a legacy
Let your love live on. Go to mercyships.org.uk/legacy to find out more about leaving a gift to Mercy Ships in your Will.
Volunteer
Share your talents on our hospital ships. Find your place on board: opportunities.mercyships.org
Pray
Pray for the patients we serve on our hospital ships. Find out how your church can support Mercy Ships at mercyships.org.uk/church
Follow us
Join our community of Mercy Shippers on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn: @mercyshipsuk
Thank you for making hope and healing possible.
Words of hope and healing
Could you share good news with your community?
Mercy Ships has nearly 100 speakers across the UK. Visiting churches to women’s groups, schools to Rotary clubs, there’s someone nearby who’d love to speak to your community.
Book a speaker and hear inspiring stories from our hospital ships.
Book a speaker now: Go to mercyships.org.uk/speaker scan the QR code, or call us on 01438 727 800.
