By Augustin Gibao Brima

(Senior Correspondent, Africa24)

As the word ‘Mercy’ implies, is to show kindness, help to a Person or People who are in need.

This is exactly what Mercy Ships Stand for in helping mankind throughout Africa, offering free medical to millions of people in Africa that lack medical resources to help its citizenry.

The presence of Mercy Ships in Sierra Leone is a step in the right direction, especially at these trying times when people are going through economic challenges; coupled with lack of basic surgical machines and materials to help save lives of sick people

They have been able  to touch lives of sick  persons throughout the length and breath of Sierra Leone and has once more bring dignity, smiles and hope to people who society have rejected or stigmatise due  to their Illness. The vision of Mercy Ships is to bring hope to the hopeless and by so doing the Ships is used   as      a hospital to transform lives and to serve nations’ across Africa.

The unique nature of Mercy Ships is that there is no ethnicity on board the ships, since the ships can be proud of over forty nationalities worldwide serving humanity on board the ship.

Furthermore, to add on the unique nature of the ships is that they are careful, courageous, peaceful to both patients and staff employed on board the ships, there is no line drawn between the entire working staff and above all, prayer is what they believe in since the ships has a full set of chaplains always praying and talking to patients before and after surgical operations.

As an author of this article, my life was saved by Mercy Ships, having undergone a painful lower jaw tumor for seven years. Today, I have smiles on my face the question of Brother Augustine or Gibao what is wrong with your jaw, is all over with the help of Mercy Ships and that equally go for many other patients I was hospitalized with onboard the Ships.

Our dreams are for Mercy Ships to extend their stay in Sierra Leone in a bid to help our brothers and sisters who are in need of surgical operations.

Sierra Leone needs this golden opportunity, especially at these trying economic times.

I extend my heartfelt appreciation to my surgeons Dr.   S Patel, Dr. M Quillon and volunteer nurses on board the Ships.

Nurse Tara, Rebecca, Asako Hiraga, Benjamin the chaplain and Sierra Leoneans employed on the Ships among others for their hospitality, love and kindness.