On Easter Sunday in Ghana, Charity was joined by her family as they sang and danced in the company of a jubilant congregation.
Today, she’s a key member of this church—cleaning as well as handling church offerings—but, just a few years ago, she couldn’t bring herself to step foot at the entrance of any chapel in her village.
“Formerly, I didn’t perform these duties, or go to church, because of the shame,” Charity recalled.
Life Behind a Tumour
For more than two decades, Charity lived with a facial tumour that began when her first child was only two years old. It developed as a tiny pimple, growing bigger yearly until she was confined to her room, eating alone and avoiding community gatherings.
“Though I didn’t deserve this sickness, it became my burden,” she said.
Charity could not afford surgery, so she relied on traditional medicine; the mass wasn’t affected by the herbal remedies and kept growing. Humiliation forced her into isolation, until she learned to live with this unwelcome new part of her body. At forty-six, the tumour now larger than her head, and she had forgotten what a life without pain was like. “She was not able to go out. People were laughing at her, and I felt ashamed,” her husband shared.
Charity’s condition also affected her first child, Christine, who had to drop out of school to help her father support the family.
Looking back, Christine, now 24-years-old and close to tears, recounted her mother’s ordeal: “We didn’t go to social gatherings, churches, places where people were. Any time my mum went there, she would be the centre of attention… they would transfer their attention to my mum with embarrassment, talking ill about her and laughing.”
The Miracle of Surgery
Sylvester, a Ghanaian teacher and humanitarian, met Charity for the second time after eight years with a proposal to reach out to Mercy Ships. Charity and her family finally decided to give this hospital ship a chance. With Sylvester as her caregiver, Charity travelled from Ghana to Guinea, where the Africa Mercy® was docked—where she would receive her surgery.
U.S. Maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Gary Parker, who performed Charity’s surgery, invited Sylvester into the operating room post-surgery. Sylvester wept at the transformation. In 2016, he had accompanied two patients from Ghana to Benin to receive surgery on the Africa Mercy, but this experience was different. He had never seen a tumour as big as Charity’s and was aware that it had become life-threatening. Despite bleak expectations, Charity’s village had charged him with her safety; the woman he saw after surgery was the fulfillment of his promise.
“It was a lot of feelings coming together,” he said. “The fact that I could see her new look…those were tears of joy.”
When news of Charity’s successful surgery and homecoming got to her village, the entire community gathered to welcome her. White powder was poured over her, signifying victory and a reclaimed life.
“Everyone was happy for me,” Charity said. “My children, husband and my entire family said God has done a miraculous work in my life.”
Unburdened and Unhidden
It has been seven years since Charity’s surgery. Christine was able to return to school and graduate from junior high school. Sylvester keeps in touch and remains in awe of her transformation—from hiding behind her scarf to stepping into the light.
“Initially, when I saw her in town, she would cover her tumour with a piece of cloth because she didn’t want people to look at her. People called her a witch,” he recounted. “The fact that someone who hid herself from the public and now she’s in the public domain…I am really grateful that Mercy Ship was able to offer this to her.”
Today, Charity attends community gatherings and participates in communal activities. She serves at church wholeheartedly—her way of expressing gratitude for the healing she received.
“As grace delivered me, I would like to show and appreciate the work of God,” she rejoiced.
Mercy Ships Arrives in Ghana
In August 2026, Mercy Ships will return to Ghana after nearly two decades. The Global Mercy™ is committed to an 10-month mission bringing hope and healing through free surgeries and medical professional training. Charity is not only happy to welcome the hospital ship to her country, but relieved that many patients, many of which have waited many years as she did, will soon receive surgery. She hopes to become an ambassador, showing people what is possible through surgery.
“When I see people who are sick, I will go to them and encourage them,” she said. “There is hope and assurance that they would be healed, and their hearts’ desires will come to pass.”
Thanks to hearts like yours, Charity’s light shines bright today. Her story is a testament of how lives are touched through transformative surgical care. Find out how you can support more people like Charity and get involved here.
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