The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Sandra sets sail for Africa
Charity: Volunteer nurse to help provide healthcare and training in Senegal
An Aberdeenshire woman is preparing to set sail on board the world’s largest charity-run hospital ship to help save lives in the West African nation of Senegal.
Sandra Campbell, from Ellon, will volunteer as a nurse on the Africa Mercy health vessel for five weeks.
The boat, operated by international charity Mercy Ships, provides healthcare and training to developing countries.
It is staffed almost entirely by volunteers like Ms Campbell from more
“I always look forward to my times on board with shipmates”
than 40 different nations across the world.
Ms Campbell has volunteered with the Mercy Ships organisation since 2010 and spends several weeks at sea every year.
While she will be spending five weeks on the Africa Mercy, it will stay docked in Dakar, the port capital of Senegal, until July 2020.
During that time, the charity seeks to train 1,400 healthcare professionals, helping to improve medical conditions and care for some of the world’s poorest communities.
Since Mercy Ships was established in 1978, it has helped more than 2.7 million people through its work.
Ms Campbell, 69, said: “I always look forward to my times on board and meeting with shipmates I have worked with before and new ones.
“In spite of differences in nationality, culture and age, we all come together as one global community.”
Hannah Mulvihill, crew support co-ordinator for Mercy Ships, said: “We are so grateful for the volunteers who travel to the Africa Mercy to offer their time and skills.
“From the cleaners to the nurses, the receptionists to the electricians, we couldn’t offer this vital service without them.”