“This field service is special for me. This is my contribution to my country,” shared Edward Carew, a volunteer Engine Rating from Sierra Leone. “There is no better job in this world than seeing the lives of other people transformed through the work I do here on Mercy Ships.”
Edward serves alongside the hidden heroes of the engineering team, where he feels fulfilled knowing that his work contributes to bringing hope and healing to those in need in his home country and beyond.
For over three decades now, Mercy Ships has focused on bringing hope and healing in sub-Saharan Africa. To date, it has served 14 unique African nations. Crewmembers, staff, and partners from all over the continent have played a significant role in the mission’s success, serving with their skills and expertise while also helping to bridge cultural and language barriers.
A Mercy Ship first sailed into the port of Freetown, Sierra Leone in 1992, marking the start of a partnership that continues to thrive today. From August 2023 to June 2024, the Global Mercy™ served a sixth field service in Sierra Leone – and, following an invitation from the nation’s president H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the hospital ship returned in August to bring another 10 months of hope and healing.
Like other Sierra Leonean crew on board the Global Mercy, Edward shares that serving in his home country makes the experience even more special. He recounts dancing with patients on the hospital veranda after a dive, saying, “I still had my gear on, but I just had to join them because I knew the local songs they were singing. The kids were happy and enjoyed it. We sang, danced, laughed, and played together. That was a memorable moment for me.”
Called to Hope
As the Global Mercy sailed into Freetown for its 2023-24 field service, the Sierra Leonean crewmembers who had served faithfully in other African nations were delighted to continue serving, this time at home.
For some, their call to the mission dates to 2011, when the Africa Mercy® last visited Freetown. They got the chance to see the incredible impact of Mercy Ships’ mission firsthand while working as national day crew, helping volunteers communicate and connect with the local community. The experience ignited a lasting passion for volunteering and selfless service in their hearts.
Frank B. Seibure, who currently serves in the Sterile Processing Department, is one such Sierra Leonean crewmember. Before Mercy Ships, Frank was a human rights professional who never dreamt of working in healthcare. One day in 2011, his pastor asked if he would like to work with Mercy Ships and he accepted. The initial plan was for him to work as a translator for the ophthalmic team, but he was offered a role in the hospital instead.
Unsure what sterilisation even meant at the time, Frank took a leap of faith, backed by an ardent desire to learn. He quickly learned the practical aspects of sterile processing and halfway through the field service his team lead told him, “No, we are not going to leave you here in Sierra Leone. You will become a crew at the end of the field service.” Frank became a crewmember and continues to serve today. He has since acquired internationally recognised certifications in sterile processing.
Edwina Dumbuya, who also served as a national day crew in 2011, became a long-term volunteer after that field service and served until 2017. She returned to serve as a galley staff on the Global Mercy in November 2023, signing up for a two-year commitment, saying: “What Mercy Ships is doing is a great thing, and I am blessed to be a part of it.”
Charity at Home
Seeing the lives of people transformed and health systems in other African nations empowered left Frank hoping for the ship’s return to his home country. “A lot of development came into the organisation after the ship left Sierra Leone in 2011, so some of us were praying for Mercy Ships to return so our people can benefit,” he explained. One such development was the formerly named Medical Capacity Building program, now Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA). “It has been my dream for the ship to come here so our people in the medical sector can benefit from the program.”
Abdulai Sesay serves as the preoperative logistics coordinator and has been with Mercy Ships for six years. He transferred to the Global Mercy because of the Sierra Leonean field service and his desire to serve his own people. In his current role, he has close contact with patients, especially those who live upcountry, coordinating their movements to and from the ship. To him, every day is a memorable experience seeing the lives of patients transformed. “I am also able to visit my mom on the weekends and invite my friends to visit the ship,” he shared.
Hope to Homeland continues
With the return of the Global Mercy for a successive field service in Sierra Leone, the nation’s crewmembers feel excited, overjoyed, and blessed.
“The ship coming back is a blessing as more people will have the opportunity to receive their healing,” said David Tarawally, a volunteer medical supply assistant.
To anyone across the world thinking of volunteering with Mercy Ships, Edward invites you to join the crew on board: “Come and have the experience, and also see our beautiful nation. There is no better feeling or better job than putting a smile on someone’s face!” Want to find your place on board? Begin your journey today!
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