As Elaine and David Sigalet stepped onto the deck of the Global Mercy™ for the fourth time, a familiar feeling washed over them; a mix of anticipation, purpose, and the quiet sense of accomplishment they both set out to achieve when they decided to join Mercy Ships for the first time.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 13 November 2025. The Pan-African Surgical Healthcare Forum (PASHeF 2025) continues to serve as a growing continental platform where African countries design and implement solutions that strengthen surgical healthcare systems for their people.
Freetown, Sierra Leone – November 1, 2025. When 10-month-old baby Memunatu arrived at the Global Mercy™, a state-of-the-art hospital ship, her tiny face was burdened by the weight of a large tumor on her neck. This tumor affected her ability to swallow, eat, speak, and even cry. Her mother, Aminata, was referred to several doctors who were unable to help. All it took was one encounter, one surgeon’s expertise, to change their lives forever for the better.
Dr. Justina Seyi-Olajide is no stranger to forging new paths. A brilliant and daring pediatric surgeon from Nigeria, she made history on the Global Mercy™ in Sierra Leone as the first female African pediatric surgeon to volunteer with Mercy Ships.
Thirteen-year-old Mohamed is bold, bubbly, and charismatic. He is the eighth of nine children and comes from Koinadugu, a district in the northern province of Sierra Leone. His story is one of resilience and restoration.
Freetown, Sierra Leone, October 13, 2025. As Sterile Processing Week shines a spotlight on the critical role of sterile processing professionals, Mercy Ships is honored to celebrate one of its own crew members Frank Seibure, a volunteer whose hard work bring healing and safety to surgical patients across Africa. This year’s theme ‘Serving with a purpose’ reflects the dedication and price sterile processing professionals bring to their work, ensuring every instrument is clean, sterile, and ready to help save lives.
By the time she turned 80, Marie Jeanne had endured more losses than most. Seven of her eight children had passed away. Her only living daughter, Germaine, farmed the fields and cared for her own daughter and granddaughter. While grief had shaped Marie Jeanne, it hadn’t broken her spirit. Along with spending time with her family, she spent her days weaving raffia mats and hats, a passion she treasured.
Toamasina, Madagascar, October 9, 2025. This World Sight Day, the world unites around the theme ‘People at the heart of eye health’. For Marie Jeanne and her daughter Germaine, this message could not be better represented. After years of blindness due to cataracts, this mother and daughter from a remote Malagasy village had both vision and lives restored thanks to a 15-minute cataract surgery aboard the Africa Mercy, the hospital ship operated by international charity Mercy Ships.
Emmanuel Nwaji is a 34-year-old maritime officer from Nigeria. He serves on board the Global Mercy™ as a second officer and is responsible for navigation and training. Known for his impeccable leadership and commitment to excellence, he plays a vital role in keeping the ship and its mission on course.
Sierra Leone – 25 September 2025. This year’s World Maritime Day theme: “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, highlights how the ocean provides for us, and in turn, the responsibility we have to care for it. Few stories capture this dynamic better than that of Emmanuel, a 34-year-old Nigerian maritime officer on board the Global Mercy™. For him, the ocean is more than a route for transporting goods; it connects the world. With 40% of the global population living along coastlines, the ocean is vital not only for trade, but also for reaching people in need.