Mercy Ships South Africa

Some people prefer their mornings without hospital rounds, their coffee without ship alarms, and their weekends without crossing oceans to serve others. Fair enough. But every now and then, someone changes their mind.

When General Surgeon Dr. Alejandra Orantes Reyes learned about Mercy Ships from a colleague and decided to volunteer, she didn’t anticipate becoming the first Guatemalan surgeon on board.

Fanirisoa and Vonjy are brothers who were both born with clubfoot, a condition that can make walking painful and difficult without treatment.

Two brothers, both born with clubfoot. Both needed care. But their treatment tells a bigger story. Watch how training and partnership are helping children walk without pain in Madagascar. #MercyShips #Clubfoot #Madagascar #HopeAndHealing

The #GlobalMercy has now crossed the 1,000 surgeries milestone in her current field service in #SierraLeone.

Clubfoot treatment in Madagascar is not starting from scratch. A national program exists, and dedicated clinicians are already serving their communities.

There’s always something happening on board. That’s the beauty of community.

Maxillofacial Head and Neck Surgeon Dr. Mark Shrime explains that surgery is never just a procedure. Access to care changes more than a diagnosis. It changes the whole story. #MercyShips #HopeAndHealing #Volunteer

Meet one of our South African volunteers serving on board the Global Mercy. Sivu Tywabi plays a vital role in connecting the work of Mercy Ships with the people who support it. mercyships.co.za

“1000 patients… equals a lot of teeth seen!” Christina Schwander, Dental Team Manager from Germany, shared, “Apart from the actual treatments that we do on the patients, a very big thing that is important to us is dental education.”

What makes volunteering with Mercy Ships different? Ask the surgeons who give their time and expertise to serve where access to surgery is limited. It’s not just about operating. This is surgery with purpose. #MercyShips #VolunteerSurgeon #SafeSurgery #GlobalHealth

“When I heard that they could do surgery for my child, I felt good,” said Mamie, Musu’s mother.

After time in dry dock, the #AfricaMercy has returned to the water while work continues on essential repairs and preparations. Each step brings the ship closer to her next field service.

Context matters. On board, volunteers from all over the world live and work together. But life on the ship also means sharing the same space every day.

Context matters. On board, volunteers from dozens of cultures live and work side by side. Sometimes that means discovering that what feels perfectly normal back home lands a little differently somewhere else.

The ward nurses in the Mercy Ships ICU work closely with patients alongside colleagues from dozens of nations in one of the most unique hospitals in the world. mercyships.co.za/volunteer

Context matters. On board, volunteers from all over the world live, work, and grow together. That also means sharing pieces of culture that make each place unique.

Do you have a servant’s heart and a knack for turning a house – or ship – into a home? Mercy Ships is seeking a #volunteer Chief Steward to oversee the Stewards department. This team feeds the crew, keeps the ship clean, and makes sure all guests have a tidy cabin.

Context matters. On board, volunteers from all over the world live, work, and grow together. Even the children on board experience what it means to live in a global community.

When Jean Joseph was eight months old, he was severely burned in an accident. Because of financial hardship, his parents could not afford proper medical care. After hearing a radio announcement in 2025, he registered for surgery on board the #AfricaMercy.