| Africa Mercy Returns to Monrovia
Fourth Mercy Ships Field Service in Liberia begins
05 FEBRUARY 2008| MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Beautiful African songs rose from the crowd that had assembled at the dock in the Port of Monrovia as Liberians welcomed the crew lining the decks of the Africa Mercy during the arrival festivities Tuesday.
With a wide smile, Mercy Ships crew member and native Liberian, Oscar Gray, proudly carried the flag of his country as he followed the ship's Executive Director, Solfrid Quist, and Marine Superintendent Ken Berry, down the gangway of the Mercy Ship onto Liberian soil. Cheering and applause erupted from the onlookers as they stepped onto the dock and the vibrant celebration began. The second Africa Mercy visit and the fourth year of Mercy Ships involvement in the nation made this a day of jubilee.
Mr. James F. Ngenda, a field representative of Mercy Ships in Liberia, hosted the welcome ceremony. Highlights included musical performances by Marron Cassell and the Open Bible Church Traditional Choir, and speeches from Mr. George Tubman - Managing Director of National Port Aurthority, Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, Chief Medical Officer of Liberia's Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Africa Mercy's Executive Director, Solfrid Quist.
Dr. Dahn addressed the Africa Mercy crew saying, "We welcome you back to the Republic of Liberia for the fourth time, indeed we are blessed.The ship is coming to our countryman at a time when human resources is a very big problem for us. And so, your presence here is highly, appreciated. You will provide us specialized services, specialized surgeries.the Liberian's appreciate what you do here.you are like a family to us; you have become a part of us."
Over the next ten months, the professional volunteers on the Mercy Ship will freely provide:
- Specialized surgery for more than 2,400 people blind due to cataracts, pterygium and strabismus and training to 2 local surgeons in cataract removal plus 10 community eye care workers in ophthalmic care.
- Surgery and counseling for more than 450 people affected by maxillofacial and plastic reconstructive conditions.
- Orthopaedic surgery and occupational/physical therapy to 115 men, women and children suffering from neglected trauma and childhood musculoskeletal conditions.
- Dental care and simultaneous dental health education for 6,000 people (approx. 10,000 - 12,000 procedures) dental health education to at least 1,000 elementary and secondary students, train 20 teachers to give oral health in their classrooms and train 2 Liberians with the skills to be dental assistants and dental hygiene instructors.
- Seminars to increase the number of HIV/AIDS care, support, and prevention programs offered by the community groups in greater Monrovia.
In her recent State of the Nation Address, her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf President of the Republic of Liberia, acknowledged the work of Mercy Ships in Liberia saying, "Initiatives such as the Mercy Ships provide invaluable service to our population."
Mercy Ships is honored and privileged to compassionately serve the people of Liberia over the next ten months. |
