Nursing alumna returns from 3 year service on the world's largest hospital ship
Nursing alumna, Lyndy Cossey returns from 3 year service as a volunteer HR Facilitator on the world's largest charity run hospital ship.
Lyndy Cossey from Huddersfield has moved to Brentry, Bristol after a 3-year trip to the West African nations of Benin, Cameroon, Guinea and Senegal where she worked as a volunteer HR Facilitator.
The 57-year-old worked onboard the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest charity-run hospital ship, which provides healthcare and training to developing countries. The floating hospital is staffed almost entirely by volunteers from over 40 different nations who work in a variety of roles to help change the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.
I first read about the work of Mercy Ships 40 years ago and wanted to serve with them. To take a ship to some of the poorest nations, to provide surgery to those that otherwise could not access it struck a chord in my heart. I did not believe that there was a place for me as I was not medically trained; now I have achieved that ambition and had the privilege to share in changing peoples’ lives and communities.
Lyndy Cossey
Mercy Ships addresses this global surgery crisis within Africa by sending hospital ships staffed by volunteers to the places where surgeons are needed most. These surgeons also train local medical professionals who will stay in their home countries, effecting change long after Mercy Ships departs.
Since 1978, Mercy Ships has visited 56 countries, providing services worth more than £1.2 billion that have directly helped more than 2.7 million people. They have also trained 42,250 local professionals in their areas of expertise and helped renovate local facilities to leave a legacy that lasts.
Doctor trained by Mercy Ships with patientIn sub-Saharan Africa, 93% of the population do not have access to safe and affordable surgery when they need it. This results in over 18 million people dying each year from treatable conditions. That’s more than die from TB, Malaria and HIV combined.
“We are so grateful for the volunteers who travel to the Africa Mercy to volunteer their time and skills. Only 50% of the roles on the ship are medical and every role is filled by a volunteer. From the cleaners to the nurses, the receptionists to the electricians; we couldn’t offer this vital service without them.” - Hannah Mulvihill, Crew Support Coordinator for Mercy Ships
As for Lyndy, she now needs to adjust to life back at home. “Coming back to the UK after three years on the ship feels like everything has changed and yet nothing has changed. I am far more appreciative of the privileges we have here – clean water, reliable electricity, police without guns, free healthcare, dentists, range of food choices. “
For further information about the work of Mercy Ships, and the volunteering opportunities on offer visit www.mercyships.org.uk
The Africa Mercy will stay docked in Dakar, the port capital of Senegal until July 2020. During that time they aim to deliver 1,700 surgical procedures and train 1,400 healthcare professionals.