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Nine weeks became something more

French pediatric nurse Lily Boeckel joined the Africa Mercy® planning to volunteer for just nine weeks. That first commitment became years of service, taking her from bedside nursing to helping other nurses grow.

Sector Medical
Location Lyon, France
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The nurse who nearly wasn't

During her nursing studies in France, Lily began questioning whether nursing was really the career for her. Then her grandmother gave her a book about Mercy Ships.

It showed her a completely different way she could use the profession. Lily finished her studies, specialized and gained the experience she would eventually bring aboard. Almost nine years passed between reading that book and finally walking up the gangway of the Africa Mercy®.

If I don't go now, I'll never do it!
Lily Boeckel · Pediatric Nurse · France
  • Lily arrived aboard with experience in pediatric nursing. From bedside care to games with young patients, she found a place where her profession and personality could come together.

Lily arrived aboard with experience in pediatric nursing. From bedside care to games with young patients, she found a place where her profession and personality could come together.

Nine weeks became years

Lily joined the Africa Mercy® in Senegal in early 2022 as a pediatric nurse. She had planned to stay for nine weeks.

Instead, she extended her service, moved to the Global Mercy™, and developed into a nurse educator, combining patient care with supporting newly arriving nurses. By 2023, Mercy Ships described Sierra Leone as her third field service, and she later served aboard the Africa Mercy® in Madagascar in a clinical training coordination role.

I left for nine weeks. Two years later, I'm still here!
I left for nine weeks. Two years later, I'm still here!

Could nine weeks take your nursing career somewhere unexpected?

You don't have to know where volunteering will lead before you begin.

Lily came aboard with professional experience and nine weeks to give. She found patients to care for, nurses to support, an international community and opportunities to grow into new responsibilities.

What started as a short commitment became a much bigger part of her nursing journey.

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