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Mercy Ships brings free, life-changing surgeries to people across sub-Saharan Africa. We also train and mentor African healthcare professionals, empowering them to better serve their own communities.
It’s astounding. Nine out of ten people in sub-Saharan Africa can’t access safe surgery.
Without surgery, many people are shunned from their communities, with no hope of going to school or work, or living a healthy life.
Sadly, we hear this time and time again. This is the surgical crisis. A crisis that has meant that – for generations – women, men and children have suffered without surgical care.
Like you, we believe change is possible.
That’s why Mercy Ships provides free training for African healthcare professionals, empowering them to better serve their own communities.
Mercy Ships was invited to Connaught Hospital, Sierra Leone, to mentor nurses like Betty Koker.
For Betty, providing quality healthcare to her community is something she’s always felt called to do.
“I remember, I was eight years old when I lost my mum, she died after giving birth. My dad told me it was due to the negligence of the nurses. From that moment, I decided that I would become a nurse so that I can prevent more children from becoming orphans.”
Now a full-time nurse at Connaught Hospital, Betty pours her heart and soul into her work.
With guidance from Katie, a nurse from the UK, Betty has gained confidence in vital skills such as wound care and infection control. Many of these techniques were new or only lightly touched on during her academic training.
Katie could quickly see something truly special in how Betty cares for her patients.
“I witnessed Betty speaking to a patient who was preparing for surgery,” said Katie. “This patient was quite nervous about going down to surgery – he was worried that he was not going to be safe. I watched Betty use her training to educate him and ease his worries. She was so confident in her ability, and that made me proud.”
Betty’s learning journey didn’t stop at Connaught Hospital. She came on board the Global Mercy, the world’s largest charity hospital ship, for an immersive training experience. There, she stepped into a fast-paced clinical environment where theory met practice.
“I worked in the orthopaedic department. I know this training will be very helpful for us.”
Beyond orthopaedic care, Betty participated in emergency simulations in the Global Mercy Simulation Centre, including managing complications after surgery, where she had to make split-second decisions. It was an opportunity to practice these skills in a safe environment, preparing her for real-work practice.
Now back at Connaught Hospital, Betty returned with new knowledge and a renewed sense of purpose. She’s determined to implement what she’s learned, despite limited medical equipment.
“At Connaught, there are things that we just don’t have. On Mercy Ships, they have everything… but it teaches us to improvise,” she said.
Betty is hopeful that, thanks to this training, things will change for good.
“I think, it we continue in this way, we are going to save a lot of lives. Things are difficult here, but I know by God’s grace, we can do it.
“The main thing I’ve learned is whatever you are doing, you should be compassionate about it. A smile can lift pain from so many people.”
