Local Seaman Returns

Billy Walsh (22) from Youghal in Cork has recently returned from volunteering with Mercy Ships, after playing his part to help doctors provide free medical and humanitarian care to the world’s poorest people.

Third Officer Billy, came across the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charity hospital ship, while working in Benin on a container vessel. 

Billy said: “I was curious about this big vessel docked in the port of Benin where I was working as Third Officer on a container vessel.  I wandered over to investigate and soon discovered that it was a hospital ship that helped the people of Benin and gave them free surgeries.  I was amazed by the size of the Africa Mercy and in admiration of the 450 volunteers that worked and lived on board the ship.

“I discovered that there were volunteers from all around the world, not just medical volunteers. The Africa Mercy is like a town and requires cooks, cleaners, deck hands, engineers and even a third officer to maintain the running of the ship." 

"I saw first hand the poverty in Benin and the hardship that many people were suffering and it was clear that the Africa Mercy gave them hope and the chance of a better life.   I signed up to volunteer as a Third Officer as I wanted to help have a positive impact on the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.”

Benin is one of the poorest nations in the world where the average life expectancy is just 54 years.  In February 2009, Mercy Ships began a 10-month outreach to Benin to offer basic healthcare and life saving medical procedures that can prevent untreated debilitating and life-threatening conditions becoming fatal.  

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK said: “Our volunteers are the lifeblood of Mercy Ships and allow us to provide free medical services to the poorest of the poor.  Our volunteers come from all over the world and while some serve for over a year, many come for a few weeks.  They are all invaluable and we are eternally grateful for their support.”