Africa Mercy Returns to Liberia

Beautiful African songs rose from the crowd assembled at the dock in the Port of Monrovia as Liberians welcomed the Africa Mercy back to Liberia.

With a wide smile, Mercy Ships crew member and native Liberian, Oscar Gray, carried the flag of his country down the gangway of the Mercy Ship and stepped onto Liberian soil. Cheering and applause erupted from the onlookers and the vibrant celebration began.

Mr. James F. Ngenda, a field representative of Mercy Ships in Liberia, hosted the welcome ceremony. Highlights included musical performances by Marron Cassell and the Open Bible Church Traditional Choir, and speeches from Dr. Bernice Dahn, Chief Medical Officer of Liberia’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Africa Mercy’s Executive Director, Solfrid Quist.

Dr. Dahn addressed the Africa Mercy crew saying, "We welcome you back to the Republic of Liberia …The ship is coming to our countryman at a time when human resources is a very big problem for us. And so, your presence here is highly appreciated. You will provide us specialised services, specialised surgeries…the Liberians appreciate what you do here … you are like a family to us; you have become a part of us."

Over the next 10 months, Mercy Ships volunteers will freely provide:

* Specialised surgery for more than 2,400 people blind due to cataracts, pterygium and strabismus, and training to 2 local surgeons in cataract removal, plus 10 community eye care workers in ophthalmic care.

* Surgery and counselling for more than 450 people affected by maxillofacial and plastic reconstructive conditions.

* Orthopaedic surgery and occupational/physical therapy to 115 men, women and children suffering from neglected trauma and childhood musculoskeletal conditions.

* Dental care and simultaneous dental health education for 6,000 people (approx. 10,000 – 12,000 procedures); dental health education to at least 1,000 elementary and secondary students; training 20 teachers to give oral health in their classrooms and training 2 Liberians with the skills to be dental assistants and dental hygiene instructors.

* Seminars to increase the number of HIV/AIDS care, support, and prevention programmes offered by the Liberian Faith Community in Greater Monrovia.

In her recent State of the Nation Address, her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of the Republic of Liberia, acknowledged the work of Mercy Ships in Liberia saying, "Initiatives such as the Mercy Ships provide invaluable service to our population."

Mercy Ships is thrilled to return to Liberia and we are honoured and privileged to compassionately serve the Liberian people throughout 2008.