07 Apr Mercy Ships partners with Premier Christian Radio in critical year for Africa
- The Charity of the Year partnership comes at a pivotal time for healthcare in Africa, with the need for safe, accessible surgery more critical than ever after COVID-19
- The Global Mercy a new, purpose-built hospital and medical training ship will double the impact of the charity’s life-changing work across the continent of Africa
- Premier’s national and international reach will help resource the life-saving work of Mercy Ships with giving, prayer, and by highlighting inspiring volunteer crew from all walks of life
Mercy Ships and Premier Christian Radio today are working together in a pivotal year for healthcare in Africa by announcing a year-long partnership that will bridge radio, podcasts, magazines, social media and in-person conferences.
There are 300 doctors for 100,000 people in the UK, compared to 1 for 100,000 in Africa. So, in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the need for access to medical care and safe surgery across Africa is greater than ever. For the first time, progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is stalling, and without intervention, the impact of the pandemic threatens to undo decades of good work.
At this critical moment, Premier Christian Radio and Mercy Ships have come together in a Charity of the Year partnership, to bring this urgent need to the attention of Christians and churches across the UK. They share the belief that everyone deserves access to medical treatment, at a time when 9 out of 10 people living in sub-Saharan Africa still don’t have access to safe surgery.
Mercy Ships follows the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing. Mercy Ships delivers accessible, free surgery and vital medical care for those in unjust poverty and urgent need. The Africa Mercy ship is already working in Senegal. The volunteers onboard, many from UK churches, are bringing hope and healing to incredible people such as Aicha, a little girl who arrived with bowed legs, a condition caused by poverty. Thanks to a free surgery onboard their floating hospital, Aicha is now able to attend school and play with her friends, without fear, ridicule or pain.
The Global Mercy is the world’s first and largest purpose-built charity hospital ship and a floating medical school. She will join the Africa Mercy soon – doubling the impact of the charity’s life-transforming work across the continent of Africa.
At the invitation of each host nation, skilled volunteers onboard each ship work alongside healthcare professionals to train and mentor local surgeons and nurses, leaving a lasting legacy of sustainable healthcare. To crew both ships, Mercy Ships offer opportunities for 2,600 volunteers from over 50 nations each year. Half of the roles are not medical at all, from audio-visual technicians to car mechanics, receptionists to paediatric nurses. There are 200 different volunteer options onboard to choose from.
Joanne Balaam, CEO of Mercy Ships UK said:
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Premier Christian Radio as their Charity of the Year. Premier have supported our work since the very beginning, and the first-ever radio show broadcast from The Global Mercy last month was with Premier Christian Radio, coinciding with the visit of HRH The Princess Royal, International Patron of Mercy Ships. Premier share our vision to provide free surgery to those living in unjust poverty, mobilise the Church to join as volunteers, and to empower African healthcare colleagues.”
Ropa Rusere, Crew Recruitment Manager for Mercy Ships UK said:
‘This is such a pivotal moment for Africa, as the continent emerges from the Covid pandemic with an increased need for accessible healthcare. We’re delighted to be partnering with Premier. With their national and international reach, Premier Christian Radio listeners and readers can help resource the life-changing work of Mercy Ships, through praying, giving, and perhaps even ‘going’, for those who feel called to volunteer their skills as crew members!”
Premier’s national and international reach through radio, podcasts, magazines and events, will help the life-saving work of Mercy Ships through giving, prayer, and by highlighting volunteer crew opportunities.