Give monthly and help fund free surgery in Africa
A regular gift is worth more than its size, because it is the only kind of income we can plan around.
A hospital ship commits to a country years before it arrives. That commitment is only responsible if the funding behind it is predictable.
Why regular giving matters more than it looks
A field service is agreed with a national government long in advance. Surgeons are recruited, patients are screened, supplies are ordered and a ship is scheduled, all before a single operation takes place.
One-off gifts are genuinely valuable, but they arrive unpredictably. Regular giving is what allows Mercy Ships to make commitments to a country and keep them.
What your gift contributes to
Monthly gifts are not usually assigned to one patient. They fund the whole surgical programme: operating rooms, anaesthesia, medical supplies, sterile processing, the wards where patients recover, and the training that continues after the ship sails.
Some patients need weeks of nutrition before they are fit for surgery, and months of rehabilitation afterwards. That care is part of the cost, and it is part of what a regular gift sustains.
Volunteers, not salaries
The crew who perform the surgery, nurse the patients, cook the meals and run the engine room are volunteers. Many pay their own crew fees to serve.
That is why a donation to Mercy Ships buys a disproportionate amount of surgery: the largest cost in most hospitals, staffing, is largely given rather than paid.
Changing or stopping your gift
A regular gift should suit your circumstances rather than lock you into them. You can change the amount or stop at any time by contacting the Mercy Ships office in your country.
Questions about giving
Where does my money go?
Gifts fund the surgical programme and the training that accompanies it: medical supplies, equipment, running the ships, patient care before and after surgery, and the work with local healthcare professionals. Mercy Ships publishes annual financial reporting in each country where it is registered.
Do patients pay anything?
No. Surgery is provided free of charge to the patients we serve. Mercy Ships is a non-governmental organisation that raises funds in order to make that possible.
Can I stop or change my monthly gift?
Yes, at any time. Contact the Mercy Ships office in your country and they will change or cancel it without question.
Is my donation tax deductible?
This depends on where you live and which Mercy Ships national office receives your gift. Tax treatment, receipts and any deduction schemes are handled locally, so check the details for your own country.
