(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 23, 2009 ) Cotonou, Benin, West Africa- You often hear about doctors and nurses volunteering their time in poor nations. Their work can save lives, but who takes care of the medical instruments when they are thousands of miles from home? A company in Birmingham, Alabama, met local Mercy Ships crew in Cotonou, Benin, in West Africa – and the partnership began.

Instruments of Mercy is a nonprofit organization committed to giving back to others by ensuring that the instruments required for medical missions are refurbished and in optimum operating condition. This like-minded team has joined forces with Mercy Ships in a joint effort to assist those in Benin, one of the poorest countries in the world, who are unable to access medical help. Because Mercy Ships treats thousands of individuals in medical need, the upkeep and maintenance of medical instruments is extremely important .

This partnership began onboard the Africa Mercy, the largest nongovernmental hospital ship, docked in Cotonou, Benin . On June 22nd the Mercy Ships marketing representatives joined the 450 crew of the Africa Mercy for assessment. At the same time a team from Instruments of Mercy was visiting the ship.

One of the team members from Instruments of Mercy, Sharrie Robinson, writes, “Every crew member on the Africa Mercy is a volunteer.” “From the chef to the captain to the nurses and surgeons, every person has left something and someone back home to come aboard the ship and volunteer their time.” Some stay two weeks, some live on the ship for several months, and a few have been with Mercy Ships for over 20 years. Dr. Parker is one of the individuals who came to stay for two weeks, and twenty-three years later he is the Chief Medical Director.”

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:
Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries, providing services valued at more than $ 748 million and directly impacting more than 2.16 million direct beneficiaries. More than 1,200 crew worldwide, representing more than 40 nations, are joined each year by 2,000 short-term volunteers. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. For more information click on www.mercyships.org

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Mercy Ships
Kathy Gohmert
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