Mercy Ships is an international charitable organization that operates hospital ships to provide free surgeries and medical training in regions with limited access to healthcare. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships follows the model of Jesus to bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor, serving all people without regard for race, gender, or religion.
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The organization currently operates two ships: the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy. These state-of-the-art hospital ships are staffed by volunteer professionals, including surgeons, nurses, maritime officers, teachers, administrators, IT specialists, and more. Volunteers are crucial to the mission, and Mercy Ships offers various opportunities for those interested in serving.
Mercy Ships has been recognized for its commitment to transparency and effectiveness, earning a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. The organization’s impact includes performing over 117,000 free surgical procedures and delivering services valued at over $1.85 billion, directly benefiting more than 2.87 million people.
