Sierra-Leone

Whilst we live in a "bubble" here on the ship there are many opportunities to see what goes on elsewhere. This week we visited the local Cheshire Home. We were particularly interested in this as there used to be one near to our home and our church would go into it monthly to run a service for the residents. These residents also enjoyed attending our services and I was involved in the minibus rota at one point.
We knew this place was going to be a very basic provision for the 12 disabled children resident there. We had been shown photos and told that the roof leaks in the girls dormitory so as a ship crew we are trying to raise funds to repair it. What we weren't ready for was the state of the equipment and the terrain these children have to navigate. The wheelchairs did not have any tyres and were far too big for them. The ground was uneven and difficult to navigate on foot let alone in a wheelchair. There toilets were not working either.
Regardless of these things we were greeted with such smiles and hugs. Some children moving so fast along the ground on their arms and hands. These children were very happy to be here. Previously they had been regarded as outcasts. People here believe anyone with a disability is demon possessed. We spent time with the children helping them to understand the story of the Prodigal Son with colouring sheets after our leader had skillfully told it to them in a very engaging and easy to understand way. We then played simple games with bubbles, shakers and balls.
The next day we visited the Hope Centre. This is where the patients come pre and post op (usually with a family member and often have to stay months). This was a building that has been loaned to Mercy Ships by the Government. The charity spent a lot of money to make the building as fit for purpose as possible. It is the limiting factor on how many operations can be performed on the ship so they try and make it as efficient space wise as possible whilst keeping it sanitary. There are bunk beds in all the rooms, less than a meter apart. There do have air conditioning but the patients turn if off because it's too cold! The volunteers who work here have to wear many hats and in some ways are autonomous from the ship. The things they may have to deal with are patient conflicts (between them selves or with day crew) , no power or water, the implications of a "No" for a patient when they go for pre-op, riots outside the gates during football matches to name but a few.
Other things that have taken place this week.
There have been a few people leaving the ship who we have become friends with so we went down onto the dock to see them off. There is always a crowd there so we pray for them then make an arch for them to run through before they get on the minibus.
Sally also went to a Celebration of Sight service where patients who had had their sight restored celebrated with their families and crew. A very lively worship time was had with lots of dancing (as you would expect if you had had your sight restored!)
Sally also got unwittingly tangled up in the fire drill on deck 11. We had gone up for a swim and forgotten something (we usually do!) so she went back down to our cabin (deck 6). By the time she got back up the exit was blocked by smoke and a casualty plus lots of fire fighters and the emergency team.
Most week days you can go down to the hospital floor where the low care patients get an hour on the deck to have fresh air and hospital stakk and other crew members can go and mix with them and have a bit of fun! Interacting gets interacting when you don't speak the language but throwing bean bags at a target doesn't need any language!Read more

We were fortunate enough to start our shift pattern with 2 days off before we had to start work. The first day was taken up by induction meetings. The second day by settling in and finding our way round this vast ship. Our very roomy cabin certainly will suit us well for 3 months with a living space, mini kitchen, double bed and bathroom. Plus a view over the next ship on the docks with a hive of activity during the day.
Our shift pattern is 2 days on 3 days off, 3 days on, 2 days off. Start at 7:00 finish at 19:00 hrs with 2 long breaks in between.
Eugene's work in the galley is not easy at all, apart from a long day on your feet is also noisy and warm with a generous dose of African gospel music thrown in. This makes the language barrier a bit of a challenge at times! I am in the cold section and the easy peeler quickly became my best friend attacking 2 cases of cucumbers in quick succession! There are 18 of us in the galley, 2 of us from the UK/NL.
Sally is in the dining room to help stock the serveries and drinks counters as well as help clearing away and sorting out the dirty dishes and cutlery. A lot of contact with the crew which suits Sally who is not shy of talking to anyone! There are 15 in the team with 4 from Western Europe/US.
First day off is spend having a rest, getting in the gym and doing the laundry. We also had an hour deck time with the patients on the veranda outside, playing games and trying to communicate in pigeon English and with our hands. A lot of children with leg operations that are not mobile yet. It brings it home why we are there!Read more