As Armella grew, so did the mass behind her ear and her parents’ fears along with it. Desperate for answers but unable to afford a doctor, they turned to the church for support. Judicael, the pastor of their church, is a former Mercy Ships’ national crew who worked in the deck department during the organization’s last mission in Madagascar. With his assistance, 6-month-old Armella would finally be examined by a doctor.

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.

Freetown, Sierra Leone – September 2, 2025. The Global Mercy™, the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, has officially launched her third consecutive field service in Sierra Leone, with the successful surgery of its very first patient, 40-year-old kekeh driver Mohamed. This pivotal moment represents the beginning of a mission dedicated to providing hope and healing while strengthening the nation’s anesthetic and surgical systems.