Christmas 2007

Christmas 2007: This year¹s Christmas donation goes to Mercy Ships

The hospital ship of the aid organization Mercy Ships is the last hope for many critically ill children and adults. Due to insufficient medical care in Africa (in Ghana there are 9 doctors for 100.000 inhabitants) even benign tumors or cleft lips turn into life threatening conditions. These and other malformations cause the affected person not only physical pain but also emotional suffering because they are scorned and reject by others.

Mercy Ships, a global charity, has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the forgotten poor, mobilizes people and resources worldwide, and serves all people without regard for race, gender or religion.

Since 1995 Mercy Ships is also a membership association in Germany. The tax office of Kaufbeuren, Germany, approved Mercy Ships as a nonprofit organization, which is eligible to receive funding. Mercy Ships has also been certified to receive charitable contributions by the German Protestant Alliance. This certificate attests that the budget is economically managed and transparent and that donations are appropriately allocated.

Every year approximately 1,800 volunteer workers from more than 40 different countries are come together on the hospital ships in order to provide assistance in terms of surgeries, dental treatments, construction and agricultural projects as well as training programs. Operations on the Mercy Ships are geared toward special surgeries. In particular people who are afflicted by large facial tumors, birth defects or other physical deformities receive surgery on board free of charge.

Mercy Ships is financed by donations from private individuals, companies, endowments and the monthly contributions of volunteers in return for board and lodging. You can find additional information at www.mercyships.com

Where and how are people being helped?
Mercy Ships is committed to helping the poorest of the poor. Virtually all of the least-developed countries are located in Africa. Therefore the Ships¹ area of operation is West Africa.

During a typical 8 month assignment, Mercy Ships perform:

- least 570 rehabilitative surgeries;
- 2.400 eye surgeries;
- 200 Vesicovaginal fistula treatments;
- 4.000 dental treatments.

In addition several sustainable development projects are implemented. Some project topics include:

- drinking water supply,
- sanitary arrangements,
- civil engineering,
- hygienics,
- training.

Postal Address:
Mercy Ships
P.O. Box 2020
Garden Valley, Texas 75771-2020

Physical Address:
Mercy Ships
P.O. Box 2020
15862 State Highway 110 N.
Lindale, TX 75771-2020

Tel: 1-800-772-SHIP (within U.S.)
Tel: 1-903-939-7000
Fax: 1-903-882-0336
Attention: Marion Kirkpatrick
E-mail: info@mercyships.org
Website: www.mercyships.org