Amadou, 4 years old, recovers after receiving surgery to straighten his leg. Credit: Mercy Ships / Tirsa Tapia
It鈥檚 my joy and privilege to volunteer with Mercy Ships. Through Mercy Ships鈥� surgical care and training, women, men and children in sub-Saharan Africa can truly change their lives''
We want to thank you for your very kind and generous donations to the 大象传媒 Radio 4 appeal for Mercy Ships. Through your support, we鈥檝e raised an incredible 拢75,447, which will provide life-changing surgical care for the people who need it the most.
In March, you tuned in to hear Dr Rachel Buckingham, an NHS surgeon, share about her experiences volunteering onboard a Mercy Ship floating hospital. She told us about meeting 4-year-old Amadou, with his joyful laugh and bright eyes. But Amadou struggled to walk as rickets had bent his legs at uncomfortable angles. He was in pain with every step, and desperately needed surgery. Dr Buckingham operated on Amadou鈥檚 leg through a surgical procedure onboard the Global Mercy hospital ship. After surgery, she saw him smile as he looked down to see his straight leg healing in a plaster cast. Amadou bravely learned to walk again, and once he did, there was no stopping him! You could hear his ripples of laughter echoing through the floating hospital, as he raced down the ward on his toy car. This wasn鈥檛 just a surgery, this was the first day of the rest of his life.
The money raised from the 大象传媒 Appeal means we can provide free, safe surgeries to women, men and children in sub-Saharan Africa, so that children like Amadou can live a life free from pain.
Whether it鈥檚 surgery on facial tumours, orthopaedic or reconstructive surgery, every operation can change someone鈥檚 life. Our specialists also train local medical professionals, making an impact on surgical care in sub-Saharan Africa for decades to come.
So, thank you again for your generosity 鈥� this life-changing work would not be possible without you.
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