TEN THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT MERCY SHIPS

1) Mercy Ships has delivered free medical services valued in excess of US$1 billion since 1978.
2) Everyone onboard the AFRICA MERCY is an unpaid volunteer.
3) The crew actually pay crew fees to cover their "board and keep".
4) There are between 50 and 70 children onboard who attend the onboard school (staffed by volunteer teachers).
5) The AFRICA MERCY is an ex-rail ferry designed to transport trains over inland waters. That means is it is flat bottomed, without stabilisers and not designed for Atlantic voyages. It will most likely roll, pitch and yaw like a pig in any sea.
6) Smoking is not permitted AT ALL onboard the AFRICA MERCY.
7) The AFRICA MERCY is dry (with respect to alcohol) though crew members may drink very moderately with a meal ashore.
8) You can volunteer to serve onboard for as little as two weeks or the rest of your life.
9) We have volunteered for 2 & 1/2 years initially but may extend if the kids thrive and we can continue to fund our service.
10) Mercy Ships concentrates it's programs in West Africa as this is where the highest concentration of the poorest of the poor countries exist, typically with 0.0% economic growth and the poorest access to health care.