Ever wondered what it's like to volunteer with Mercy Ships? Discover how your skills can bring hope and healing, and have a lasting impact to the people we serve.
Hear from current Crew onboard and Alumni, as we take a look at what volunteering with Mercy Ships looks like from lots of different perspectives!
Ally served onboard the Africa Mercy for five years with his wife & son, serving primarily in HR & Operations
Merryl Hoey
Operating Theatre Clinical Supervisor
I am from Brisbane, Australia and have worked in the operating theatres for the majority of my 40 plus years as a nurse. I first volunteered with Mercy Ships in 2007 for three weeks as an Operating Room Nurse. Since then I have served short term 5 times before becoming the Operating Room Clinical Supervisor on the Africa Mercy in July 2017 and moving to the ship long term. After almost three years living on ship, I am just as passionate about Global Health and love being able to bring my skills, training and life experiences to serve with Mercy Ships.
Mick Dunne
Former Second Engineer
Mick served onboard the Africa Mercy with his family – wife Tammy and three sons – from 2013 to 2019. Mick initially served as a Third Engineer and then later stepped up and served as Second Engineer for over 3 years. He also served on the dive team and as Dive Team Leader. "Choosing to step out as an unpaid volunteer was a huge leap of faith but ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives. We went for 2 years and ended up staying for 6 & ½, only departing due to a number of family health issues – or as we like to say, it was when God gave us a clear signal that it was time to leave."
Islay Robertson
Human Resources Facilitator
I am from Wellington, New Zealand and I have been onboard working in Human Resources since July 2019 as a Facilitator and Housing Coordinator. My background is completely different to this – I was working in NZ as an Osteopath and as a Genetics Laboratory Technician, but I fell in love with the mission of Mercy Ships and was happy to have a change. The ship community has been through lots of change since I've been here, but I still love being a part of it and serving here