Emma's Work Experience Down on the Ward

For the last two weeks Emma has spent her days working shifts down on the Ward which she has thoroughly enjoyed, especially as she wants a career in the Medical Field later on.

The whole experience was a positive one for Emma. Each day she went enthusiastically dressed in her 'scrubs'! She shadowed nurses on the ward for the most part but did get to follow one patient right through from Admission, pre-op care, surgery, recovery and post-op care until discharge.

Her patient was an 11 month old baby girl called Musu, who had cleft lip and pallet surgery.

Above is a before and below an after picture of Emma with Musu

Some excerpts from Emma's work experience report follow:

Day 1

Monday, March 26th

Today, was my first day of work experience, and it was also my 15th Birthday! My friend Kim Anna was also doing work experience with me down ont he ward. My shift today started at 7am. I got up at 6:15am and did my best not to wake Chris & Josh. I got dressed into my black and pink scrubs. Each day we will shadow a nurse. Today I am shadowing Kristin Shaffer. Kristin and I have 5 patients, Rose (21): cleft-lip, Peter (60): had deformity of his tongue, Rosetta (5): cleft-lip, Mary (4): cleft-lip and Esther (13): cleft-lip. We got to work right away.

The day went by quickly. I was occupied with lots to do. In assisting Kritin I got her things she needed for cleaning wounds and giving medication and other things like that. She taught me how to take someone’s blood-pressure, that was cool, and later she let me take her blood-pressure. It took me a few times to get the hang of it, but I think I’m there now! I also was able to hold a swab on someone after they had an injection, I even got to wear rubber gloves, it was great!

At the end of my shift, we handed over to the evening shifters. When we were about to leave, Bev Sutton(Ward Manager) announced it was my birthday and brought me brownies and a card and everyone sang Happy Birthday to me.
That was my first day on the ward.

Day 2

Tuesday, March 27th

Today I worked the evening shift 2pm - 9pm.

Today I was able to feed someone, through a tube that was going through their nose and down thire throat, and straight to their stomach. Sometimes, they may get cramp, because they don’t know that they are eating, so it can be strange to suddenly feel full up! So I had to hold up the syringe that the food was being poured into (They normally feed people with Ensure/Ensure +/Pediasure for Children. It is a protein Drink)

I found out that the evening shifts are easier, as there is not as much to do. That was true, but the good thing about that was that I was able to play with the little children for hours, just bouncing the balloon to each other and tickling each other. We had lots of fun. I made very good friends with a little girl called Rosetter. She was so cute, she followed me everywhere, wanting to hold my hand or be carried. The shift was soon over, after playing for so long with the kids it took my mind off the time. So when the night-shifters arrived we prayed and thanked God for the day, then we handed over our patients to the night-shifters. That was another good day.

Day 3

Wednesday, March 28th

I was supposed to be working in admissions. In admissions, there is a room, where you take the new patients that have just arrived and you ask about their history; any illnesses, where you live, family and other questions like that. Also the admissions nurse asks the parents of the patient, or the patient themselves to sign some papers, giving their consent on taking a blood test and the operation in general and also for a before and after photo.
I was asked to go out on the dock and pick up a little patient who was 9 months old. So I went down and asked the little girl, her mum and her uncle to follow me to the ward and into the admissions room. When we arrived we had to wait for the admissions nurse, Kate, to come down to the room. When she arrived, she went through the process I just talked about.
After we had finished with that patient, Bev stopped me and asked me if I would like to work on the ward for a while, or come back at 2:30pm and teach me how to inject someone (using fruit instead of a person) and how to take someone’s blood pressure, even though I’d already learnt that.
So I went back to the ward at 2:30.At 2:30, I came back and Kim Anna and I first learnt how to give an injection. It was really fun, and we had a choice to inject an apple, banana or a tomato.

Day 4 - Day 8 of Work Experience

Emma's Report Continued

Day 4
Thursday, March 29th
Today, was a fun day shift. I was shadowing Stephanie Hartsell and we had just three patients to look after - an easier day! We had two little baby girls, one of them being my adopt-a-patient, and also a young boy called Washington. My adopt-a-patient was called Musu, and she is 11 months old (she is my patient in the pictures above). She absolutely hated white people to begin with, but I think she is getting to know me a bit better now so that’s good. (She loves being tickled!) Musu was waiting for surgery, just staying on the ward, so we didn’t have to do much with her, just give her a multi-vitamin tablet. The other little girl I had was a 1 year old girl who was in ICU; she wasn’t breathing great on her own after she had surgery. She cried a bit to begin with but after she had some sleep she was a bit better. We had to clean her wound and just in general look after her by taking her temperature and give her her medications. The little boy, Washington, was pretty good, he’s very hyper! All we had to do to him was give him his multi-vitamin tablet, and clean his wound, and he was good.I learnt how to calculate how much medicine to give someone of the right age; it was cool, but hard to explain. I also saw the little girl I had seen in admissions yesterday; she had just had surgery and looked so cute whilst she was sleeping. I enjoyed today, I got to know Stephanie well.
Day 5

Friday, March 30th
Today I was on another day shift (I think Day shifts are my favorite). Iwas shadowing Andrea Ashbacher, she is really nice. My adopt-a-patient, Musu, was one of our patients. We also had a woman named Bendu, a man named Alfred and Little Halinatu, the girl I had yesterday (She had been moved out of ICU). Musu was first on the list for surgery, and her mother found it hard, whilst she was in the OR, but later once Musu came out, she had a huge smile on her face, as did I.
At break time Bev (Ward Manager) said she wanted to chat with Kim Anna and me, about the week so far. So we sat down and talked about what we liked about it so far, if we had seen anything that had disturbed us, if we were upset with anything or anyone, and about what we would like to happen in the next 3 day we would work next week. We talked for about half an hour and decided we wanted to learn CPR on a dummy, so Bev told us we would do that next week. So I am really looking forward to that as I suggested it. This was a really good day and I enjoyed it.
Day 6

Monday, 2nd April

Today I was working an evening shift and I made a very good friend. Her name is Mummy; she is 18 and is the auntie of one of the patients here. She is so sweet, I was showing her all my funny faces and we played clapping games and she also made me a really nice bracelet. I would shout to her “MUMMY!” and she would reply “EMMA, YES!” We had lots of fun.I was shadowing Sophie Smith today, she is really nice and from New Zealand. Today I fed someone through the gastric tubes. My patient Musu is a lot better today, she even smiles at me now, and will hold my finger.
After Dinner, My Mum and Chris and Josh came down to play with my brother’s adopt-a-patient, also called Chris. He is having surgery on his hand, arm and eye. He has terrible burns and the surgeons hope to free up areas that are so badly burned they restrict his moement. I was able to show my mum my adopt-a-patient, and my friend Mummy, and Kim Anna’s adopt-a-patient also. It was nice.Later, I just played around with some people and had some fun, talked to some of the nurses (As the evening shift isn’t a busy shift)I enjoyed today, I made a great friend, and I love making friends!

Day 7

Tuesday, 3rd April

Today, I was working a day shift again. I was shadowing Hettie, she is really sweet. A big group of patients left today, so there wasn’t a lot to do.But one thing did happen that made me smile, Musu, my adopt-a-patient, let me hold her! I even walked around the ward with her for about 10 minutes, and tickled her, it was great! I took a few pictures also, which I am going to give a few copies to her and her mother.
When shift was over, and it was time for handover, Bev asked us to name a song to sing so we did & after we did, we heard from the other room the translators singing the same song but African style, then they came in to where we were, and we sang it again properly. After that, we asked them to sing us another, then everyone stood up and started dancing, and joined and big line and danced down the ward, clapping and singing. Even the patients who were fit enough joined in. It was such a laugh and everyone had lots of fun.That was the end of shift and it was great!

Day 8 (Final Day)

Wednesday, 4th April

Today was AMAZING! Kim Anna and I found out last night from Bevthat we are able to go down and watch a surgery! So this morning I got up and made sure I had a nice big breakfast, because I didn’t want to get really faint during the surgery and miss a lot of it. When it was time to go up for surgery, we were told that the patient had already been put to sleep. We made our way up to the OR (operating room)and walked through the big double doors to the OR. Kylie Bentham, the OR supervisor told us our guidelines and gave us something to put over our feet, hair and mouth & nose. Then we went with Kylie into one of the operating rooms. We were watching a surgery on a cleft-lip baby. She was 2 years old and her name was Yah. Dr. Tertius was the Surgeon. He started by drawing a line on one side of the lip, then drawing an identical line on then other side (He did this by using a compass.) Then he started cutting her lip in different place as well as where the lines were drawn. It was amazing, and the good thing was that I did not feel faint at all! About half way into the surgery, before he started stitching her up, Dr. Gary Parker (Chief Medical Officer & Surgeon on the ship for 23 years)came into the room with a book about cleft-lip surgeries and he helped explain the procedure. Later on Dr. Tertius started stitching up Yah, and it was amazing how she already looked so good. Then he put on some big strips of tape. The anesthesia provider then took Yah to the recovery room, until she awoke. When she did, they called her mother to come up and it was so nice to see her mother’s reaction.After surgery, the rest of the day wasn’t very busy at all. Musu’s strips of tape came off and she looked absolutely amazing.Something sad also happened today and that was that Mummy and her niece Satta went home.When shift was over Bev told us that we should come back at 3:00 to learn CPR like we had asked. Learning this was so much fun as we had a dummy to practice on.This was my last day of work experience and I enjoyed it a lot. It was a great way to finish.
By Emma Cole

SUCCESSFUL SEA TRIALS!

See Steven waving - 2nd from the right! Andy DID get to go on sea trials as the ship is due back into Blythe today and his last exam is tomorrow! Priase God. When this picture was taken he was down in the Engine Room!

29 March 2007

PRESS RELEASE
(Issued on behalf of Mercy Ships UK)

WORLD’S LARGEST CHARITY HOSPITAL SHIP TO SET SAIL NEXT MONTH

The world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, has successfully completed ‘sea trials’ enabling it to sail on its inaugural trip to Africa.

The former Danish rail ferry, has been converted into a state-of-the-art hospital ship at a cost of over £30 million and will provide free healthcare and community development services to the poorest people of Africa.

The ‘sea trials’ took place in the North Sea under the supervision of Bureau Veritas – an international marine certification organisation that tests systems on ships.

All systems onboard were checked and the trials took approximately 24 hours led by the ship’s Captain and his technical crew.

The Africa Mercy will return to Blyth for another four weeks where hospital supplies and materials will be loaded. The ship is now free to start final preparations for its first field service in Africa where more than 400 volunteer crew will provide free medical care, capacity building, relief aid and community development programmes to the people of war-torn Liberia.

The Africa Mercy is the fourth ship to be operated by the international charity, Mercy Ships, which has provided more than £350 million worth of services since its inception in 1978.

Statistics include treating more than 200,000 people in village medical clinics; performing more than 26,000 surgeries and 162,000 dental treatments; and completing more than 800 construction, agriculture and water development projects.

Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships, said: “Every ship has life savers, but this ship is a life saver in itself to thousands who wait for her arrival in Africa. Without this ship so many of the poorest of the poor face lives without hope. This huge white hospital ship docked in an African port is a strong symbol of hope.”

Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director, Mercy Ships UK, said: “This is a momentous day for everyone involved in Mercy Ships. Hundreds of people have worked tirelessly on this project over the last several years and we owe each of them a huge debt.

“Our focus is now to complete the loading of supplies and volunteer crew over the next few weeks in order that she can start service in Liberia.”

All the crew on board the Africa Mercy will be volunteer professionals from around the world. Doctors, dentists, nurses, community developers, teachers, builders, cooks, seamen, engineers, and many others will donate their time and skills to the effort.

For further information on Mercy Ships, please visit our website at http://www.mercyships.org.uk/

Africa Mercy sails for Sea Trials

The Africa Mercy sailed down the River Tyne at 12.30pm on 28th for sea trials.

There was a lot of emotion from the shipyard as the mooring lines were being released. Captain Jurryan said a prayer over the P.A system for the sea trials which was great as there were so many of the sub contractors onboard, A real testimony of the faithful God we serve.

It took about 1 hour for the ship to reach the breakwater at the end of the Tyne and all those not sailing gathered in South Shields to wave them off.
She sailed off into the mist and fog (not great for photo’s!!).

MAJOR NEWS

BUREAU VERITAS (classification society) GIVE GO AHEAD FOR SEA TRIALS WEDNESDAY 28th MARCH!

This is major news for the Africa Mercy. Having been on the Tyne in shipyard since April 1999, almost 8 years later the Africa Mercy will pull out of the River Tyne on Wednesday 28th for Sea Trials. On completion of Sea Trials she will not return to shipyard. Instead she will head about 10 miles North and pull into a temporary dock in Blythe. We have a warehouse in this dock containing many supplies, furniture, crew possessions (much of our stuff is stored there ready for moving onto the ship).
We have many times wondered if this day would ever come, but it finally has :-) We expect the AFM to be in Blythe till the end of April at which point she will finally set sail for AFRICA! This is extremely exciting for us all as crew. Though there are no longer many who have been there and stuck with it as long as we have (just 3 families left who came to serve on AFM at the same time as us).
On arrival in Africa the AFM will pull alongside the Anastasis and the task of transferring crew, supplies, equipment & personal possessions will begin. This process is called "Transition". Our Programs here in Liberia, including surgeries will stop temporarily at the beginning of May. We hope to start up again around the end of June on board the Africa Mercy.

Please pray for:

• Successful Sea Trails
• Andy during his Chief Engineer exams on 27th & 30th of March (x2 three hour papers)
• PLEASE PRAY FOR US & THE WHOLE CREW DURING THIS VERY BUSY TIME. THOUGH EXCITING, THERE ARE MANY CHANGES AND ADJUSTMENTS TO BE MADE.

Andy & Steven back to the Africa Mercy

Yesterday, we waved goodbye once again to Andy. He has returned to the Africa Mercy. Do pray for him as he has two exams on the 27th & 30th March. We just received word, that Sea Trials for the Africa Mercy are scheduled for 28th. These normally take just a couple of days so it should fit nicely between his two exams. These trials mean taking the ship out onto open water and testing all the main systems. This is so exciting after nearly 7 years with the Africa Mercy. Providing all goes well the ship will receive it's certification and be delivered back to Mercy Ships. We will then have to move the ship immediately out of the shipyard to the holding dock in Blythe. Here we anticipate the ship being berthed for about 4 weeks for loading and moving all crew still in Newcastle before sailing to Liberia beginning of May with an expected arrival of middle of May! We can hardly believe it. It is the culmination of so much work :-)

The other development is that in the two weeks prior to Andy's departure, we learnt of the unexpected departure of two Engine Hands from the Africa Mercy. Personal circumstances meant both men had to return to their home countries. You may remember that Steven did his BST (Basic Safety Training) last year - a requirement for Technical Crew sailing with the ship. He also spent 3 months over last summer working in Engineering. He asked to return with Andy to fill one of those critical needs in Engineering. Not only would this be a big help in that department it also means Steven can get to re-connect with his brother, Matt and some friends, before sailing with the ship back to Africa. This transfer was approved and so Steven worked his last day in CDS on Thursday last week and left with Andy last night. We decided not to tell Matt. I had a phone call from Andy this morning saying they had arrived safely back in the UK and that Andy was meeting up with Matt tonight and Steven would surprise him by turning up unannounced with his dad. I wish I could be there to see the look on his face. I have no doubt it will be a HUGE surprise and precious re-union.

Our sail from Tema, Ghana to Monrovia, Liberia

On 26th February at 2:30am we finally pulled out of the dock in Tema, Ghana. We had been scheduled to leave at 4pm on 25th but encountered some last minute Engine problems. Our Engineers (Andy included) worked tirelessly through the night to rectify the problems and get us on our way.
We sailed for about 5 hours before stopping to bunker fuel. See picture below.

Later that evening we were off again and arrived safely in Monrovia at 1:30pm three days later on 1st March, singing the Liberian National Anthem as we pulled into the Dock. There was a large crowd waiting to welcome us including our Mercy Ships Advance Team, Church Leaders in Monrovia, Government Officials including the Vice President and other dignatories. There was a time of worship and celebration before the official welcoming speeches. We look ahead to a wonderful Field Service, reconnecting with old friends here in Liberia and pray that once again we can truly make a difference in this land that has suffered terribly during its 14 years of Civil War.

Thank You Reception Hosted by Minister of Health in Ghana

Towards the end of our time in Ghana, we hosted the Minister of Health for Ghana along with the vice President and then later the next week the President of Ghana John Kufour at two separate Receptions on board the ship. We wanted to thank them for Partnering with us and for all their help in making our stay in Ghana possible. They waived port fees, waived the need for visa's for all our incoming crew and assisted us in many many ways. Both events went really well and it was an honour to have these high ranking Government officials on board the ship. As a member of the Ship Management Team Brenda was directly involved in hosting our visitors.

Both the Minister of Health and the President were visibly moved with emotion. They wanted to thank us for all that we achieved in serving & helping the poor & needy of Ghana.

By way of Thank You the Minister then made an invitation to all the Mercy Ships crew to a Reception hosted by himself and other key Health Care Leaders in Ghana. This was a great honour. On Friday 23rd February, all the crew were picked up from the ship in a fleet of coaches and were driven into the town centre, with several Police Motorcycle Escorts!! This was great fun as we flew through the traffic, sirens blazing, police lights flashing. The picture below shows Brenda receiving a presentation at the Reception along with other members of the Management Team. It was a lovely evening with aBuffet, live African Band and Dancing.

Polyclinic Maternity Ward Opening Ceremony

After 9 months of hard work the Polyclinic's new Maternity Ward is complete. Andy & I had the joy of attending the opening ceremony (Steven pictured far left on back row). We sat for several hours in the heat, though thankfully under a canopy to protect us from the sun, and listened to several lengthy speeches. This was followed by a presentation to all our local dayworkers who had helped with the project. The Mercy Ships Crew who work in CDS presented the dayworkers with Certificates. Steven was involved in making many of these presentations. The Ghana Health Service then made presentations to our CDS team by way of thanks for all their hard work. It was a joy to be a part of the celebrations.

Not the best photo. Steven is far right after having received his Ghana sache and picture carving from Ghana Health Service.

Steven at work in CDS

Steven has thoroughly enjoyed his time working in CDS. He was involved in shovelling dirt, painting walls amongst other things, but his favourite task was levelling and clearing the land around the building using a Bobcat, as the project neared completion.

VVF Ladies

During our time in Ghana around 80 women underwent surgery to repair vesico-vaginal fistulas. This complication of child birth is caused by prolonged and obstructed delivery causing a hole in the bladder and constant leakage of urine. These women are often rejected by their husbands, families and whole communities.

After surgery and confirmation that a woman is now "dry" she is presented with a new dress signifying a new start, a new life. She is transformed and restored often to her husband and family and community. This picture shows some of the ladies during the "dress ceremony" on board the Anastasis, taken in the ward.

A Personal Story

PEACE MENSAH

I would like to share a personal story of one of the patients we have had the privilege of helping.

A Message of Faith

Before & After

Ashamed, hurt & embarrassed, Peace Mensah suffered for years with a huge tumour sprouting out of her mouth. The fear of not knowing why the tumour began or how large it would grow, combined with the intense pain would have shattered most people's faith in a loving God. But for Peace it was her faith that carried her through.

"I want to tell my testimony to everyone of what God has done for me" Peace says as she begins her remarkable story of faith. As she perches on the side of her bed in the Mercy Ships recovery ward, Peace holds a mirror in one hand. She can't stop looking at her face, the transformation is amazing. A smile gradually grows wider and wider until a gasp of laughter comes rushing out. Over and over she repeats to herself "Thank you God! Praise you God!"

In 1998 Peace first felt the beginnings of discomfort in her mouth. Four years later the swelling had grown considerably and the pain was intense. Blood and puss constantly oozed out of the mass that swelled out of her mouth. A local hospital had diagnosed the facial tumour but there was little that could be done to help. Knowing there was little hope, Peace gave her condition up to God and prayed that He would keep her faith strong. She knew that people suffered hard times but wanted to constantly praise and trust in God.

Life grew tougher and tougher for the Mensah family. Running a small farm and trading vegetables and cassava kept them economically stable but as Peace's tumour grew, work for her became impossible. Her husband was forced to take over the running of the entire family. Unable to sleep due to the intense pain and only able to drink liquids through a straw, Peace gradually grew more and more weak. "I used to cry out and prayed for God to hear," she says while looking at her new reflection, "and God heard my cry."

In June 2006, a Doctor from Peace's village came to the family with the exciting news that a floating hospital ship was coming to Ghana. "He told me to pray." Peace remembers, "and I did. I never stopped praying!"

Along with thousands of others, Peace travelled to the Port city of Tema to attend the Mercy Ships Medical screening in late June 2006 ....as witnessed by Brenda. She stood for hours in a line, a line that would lead to a new face and a new life. Waiting in the lines were so many broken, desperate people, but Peace was different, she was sure that this was God's answer to her prayers. Her faith was in Him alone. Amazed and overjoyed, Peace left the screening site with a Mercy Ship surgical appointment card. The floating hospital was the answer to endless prayers; Surgeons assured her they could remove the tumour and restore her face. The 27th June, 2006 marked the start of the transformation process for Peace. She endured two surgeries over three months, spending 27 days in the Ship's recovery ward. At times she recalls that it was humiliating, "I had lost so much weight and was so light that I couldn't really walk. I had to be bathed and I always wet the bed. But the result was incredible and the nurses were amazing. Mercy Ships has done a big job."

"God has blessed me so much," Peace murmured over and over again. Throughout the whole 8 years, her husband loyally stayed by her side, looking after the whole family and reminding her that he loved her for who she was, not what she looked like. BUT she knows God loves her even more from this. "God is an amazing God, He is always by our side." After her final surgery Peace remained another 15 days aboard the Anastasis. "She was a delight to look after", one ward nurse commented. Ecstatic about her transformation and excited about returning home to her village, Peace talked about how the family would celebrate in style. She knew that it was her faith in God that had kept her going through all the emotional turmoil of the last 8 years and to Him she gave the Glory.

Written by Lu Mizen (Mercy Ships Communications Dept).

Brenda had the privilege of spending time with Peace on several occasions down on the ward and they sang some songs together. She was a remarkable lady with a beautiful smile.

Andy visits the various Mercy Ships off-ship Project sites

It was fantastic for Andy to go and see the major constructions sites all nearing completion next month. It is amazing to think how much the crew of the Anastasis along with local dayworkers, have achieved since arrival here in June 06.

Though we take the Hospital with us when we sail, it is wonderful to know we have made a lasting difference not only with the services offered and the interraction with the people; including vocational training, micro-enterprise projects and bringing the message of Jesus, but also in the Water & Sanitation & Construction projects completed that bring about lasting change. This photo was taken at one of the drilled well sites. The well is drilled and capped awaiting installation of the pump.

Please join us in praying for funding for the Projects we will be starting on arrival to Liberia.
Liberia has many more needs than Ghana and we pray Mercy Ships can continue to make a huge impact on this nation. This will be our 3rd visit in as many years.

Some of Mercy Ships Community Development Projects

TEMA POLYCLINIC MATERNITY WARD
Objective: To build and increase access to health care facilities by constructing and equipping a new maternity unit at the Tema Polyclinic.

Goal: Improved maternal health through better access to health facilities and more supervised deliveries. Skill enhancement and vocational training given to local site construction workers employed by Mercy Ships.

A very large project as you can see from the picture, a 9,000 square feet building. All the bricks for this huge building were hand made on location.

Steven's involvement: Steven has been working at this site as part of his minor job and has made some great friendships with some of the local workers. He recently requested a transfer from Food Services to become part of the CDS (Community Development Services) team. His transfer was approved & he starts full time in CDS next week.

Ashaiman Youth Health Clinic

Objective: To create and enabling environment for youth health and development in Ashaiman

Goal: Construction of a new youth health clinic. Providing improved access to health facilities for youth. Reduced incidence of HIV/AIDS and other STDs within youth through increased health & hygiene awareness. Reduction of youth entering commercial sex trade. Reduction in unwanted pregnancy and abortions. The health clinic was also the site for a Mobile Eye team every Friday.

Some interesting info about the town of Ashaiman - When the Port of Tema was developed as a deep water alternative to the Capitals' port of Accra, the growth of the port attracted many migrant workers from the villages. They set up their own accommodation on the other side of the motorway. Essentially a shanty town/slum area. This area has major needs but has continued to develop finally having been recognised by the Government which mean the essential infrastructure is very slowly being devloped. Mercy Ships targetted this area to assist in its development.

Other Ashaiman Projects

Multi-Track - Empowering Women Workshops

Last week they celebrated their graduation. Six women from the crew were involved with the groups - Bee Keeping, Snails, Rabbits and Mushroom farming.

• Busy Bees Project - teaches beekeeping to women as a new livelihood
• Snail group - 21 women
• 2 Rabbit groups - 19 women (group 1) 18 women (group 2)
• 3 Mushroom groups - 12 women in each group

Maternal Health Education - Mondays & Tuesdays in Ashaiman and Fridays in Lashibi

SHIPS - Community Health Education - At Rhema Church weekly on Wednesdays

HIV/AIDS training - taking place at several of the Ashaiman churches

Tema Newtown Projects

Multi-Track - Empowering women workshops which include:

• Snail group - 10 women
• Rabbit group - 14 women

These women will continue to breed snails or rabbits as a means of sustainable income.

Mobile Eye Team Sites

Screening off Ship - We have a Mobile Eye Unit on the Dockside for screening and follow up care and also every Wednesaday in Tema, Newtown Health Centre . The team also operates land based clinics in areas identified as lacking adequate ophthalmic services by Ghana Health Services. The team screens for surgical candidates for the ship based operating room, provides referrals for those needing glasses or other surgical procedures, provides advice on basi eye health and follow up on operated patients.

Dr. Neil Murray performing Eye Surgery on a cataract patient.

Ghana "Smiles" - Dental Project

Objective: To improve oral health in Ghana
Goal: 4,500 men, women and children will receive dental treatments and basic dental education, demonstrating improved knowledge and skills in oral health. In reality they will have provided over 5,000 people with dental treatment.

The Mercy Ships Dental Clinic is located in Tema, New Town at the Manhean JSS School.


Pictured, Dentist - Keith Chapman and below one or our Dental Sterilizers - Marissa Mendive.

Steve visits the Orphanage for the first time

Steve recently came with us to the Save them Young Orphanage. He was surrounded by kids the whole time who were fascinated by his red streaks in his hair. He played group games with the kids, we all sang action songs in a big circle and then towards the end of the visit he joined in with the painting of nails as seen in the photo. It was a fun visit.

Just before Christmas we went back and made a giant Christmas tree on the wall, made completely from cut-outs of the childrens hands traced onto green card. We took Popcorn and Cookies and Drinks and had a party.

A return visit to ADAH in between Christmas and New Year with Andy

It was nice to be able to get a away again for a couple of days and share the beauty of ADAH with Andy.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day

...and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.....EMMANUEL

There is a tradition with Dutch origins, on board the ANA, that on Christmas Eve each crew member places one of their shoes outside their cabin door. It is a wonderful way of giving and receiving to and from one another and makes Christmas that much more special.

At 10am we had a wonderful time with the whole Community celebrating the birth of Jesus, singing Carols and hearing a Christmas message.

The pics show just some of the pressies left outside our cabin door and our Christmas dinner with the rest of the crew.
This shot shows approximately one third of the crew eating Christmas Dinner. Our Galley team did an amazing job. The Dining room is too big to get the whole crew in one shot.

Academy Christmas Play

This production was pulled together in just 4 weeks. It was a lot of work, practices at least 4 times a week. The basic story was of a rich non Christian family who were did not appreciate the real meaning of Christmas. They had a maid who was the mother of a poor Chritian family.
The story focussed around the two oldest daughters in each family. Emma had the lead role of the rich families daughter who became a Christian through the influence of the daughter of the poor family. They went to school together and Emma (character name Brittany Ella!!) was invited to a Christian rock band concert where she heard the real message of Christmas and accepted Jesus into her heart and how she brought her whole family back to the Lord. There was a very emotional scene were the two girls sang together.
Chris was a member of the rock band at the concert - HIGHLY amusing! and Josh was an Angel :-)

Christmas Activities on the Anastasis

WINTER WONDERLAND - in the Med Lounge. Comprising stalls manned by various crew members who had made cakes, sweets, cards and gifts to sell. It was a lovely evening.









CHRISTMAS COOKIE BAKE
This was a really great social activity for young and old, with plenty of munching going on during the session!!
Here are some of the finished products. The Coles made approx 100 cookies.

Steven chosen to be on the Lifeboat Team

Because Steven completed the BST (Basic Safety Training) early in 2006 in Texas USA, he was qualified to be chosen as a Life Boat team member. (Pictures of him on BST are also on the blog under the early 2006 Archives).

He has thoroughly enjoyed the training so far which continues weekly until we sail. The training involves learning his role as the lifeboats are launched from the ship. Pretty scary and exciting!! A couple of pictures here launching from the ship and one all the way down in the water and back up again. More pics to be found on the photo link.

Andy's return to Africa

After what felt like a very long 14 weeks Andy finally returned on the 16th December to spend a month with us for Christmas. He will remain with us until the 15th January and then returns to Africa Mercy for a month. He will during that time pack up the rest of our stuff in England and return to the Anastasis a month later on 12th Feb, in time for Josh's birthday on 14th Feb. During this time the Anastasis will leave Ghana and sail to Liberia to begin the next Outreach phase. We are really looking forward to the 3 day sail. Andy will stay with us until early April returning to England to take his final Chief Engineer exams. Hopefully he will then sail with the Africa Mercy to Liberia.



Andy arriving at the airport and then back to the cabin - We're all VERY pleased to see him

Whole crew photo

This photo was taken just before Christmas after Crew mustered on the dockside during a fire drill. Unfortunately Josh was off the ship for the day on an Academy filed trip and it was before Andy's arrival. Can you spot the rest of the Coles?