Canadian volunteers are currently in Senegal providing free surgeries and medical training while on board the Africa Mercy Ship. The 10-month long mission is through Mercy Ships and the goal is to partner with the Minister of Health and Social Action along with other organizations to support the continued improvement of the country’s healthcare delivery. Lillian Woelk of Saskatoon will be making her fourth trip through Mercy Ships on November 23rd when she arrives on the Africa Mercy. She says it’s a fun experience to work with other volunteers from other countries and to tour the local area. “They employ a lot of local people, they’re called day workers and they’re the people that interpret for you. They are your aids, they’re helpers and you get to meet them and they take you around sometimes.” Woelk says many years ago she heard about Mercy Ships and looked into it. At that point, it wasn’t something she was too sure she wanted to do. While on a trip to Belize, Woelk met some people who were on a Mercy Ship when it at the dock. Following that, she applied and it took two years before she could get a position for two week or longer. Over the years, Woelk has been to Madagascar, Cameroon and Benin while being a part of different missions through Mercy Ships. Woelk will be on the ship for a two week period from November 23rd to December 7th. Faye Yang of Regina served on the ship from August 25th to November 16th.

For more information about Mercy Ships: https://mercyships.ca/