Aumund Foundation – Public Health

Mercy Ships e.V.

Mercy Ships e.V. Landsberg am Lech

Project location: Sierra Leone

Internet: www.mercyships.de

Funding since 2020

Project: Operations and treatment for children (surgery/orthopaedics/maxillofacial surgery) as well as training for medical technology specialists

“Ships bringing healing” is the motto under which hospital ships from this international development organisation have been providing medical aid since 1978 to some of the poorest countries in the world. Since 2020 we have been partnering with Mercy Ships e.V. in Germany and making financial contributions to orthopaedic and surgical operations, mainly for children.

However the work of Mercy Ships does not stop at the ship’s railing. The organisation achieves sustainability in its mission by training local medical personnel, and with medical follow-up care for patients on land.

In 2022 we were able to gain a first-hand impression of the largest civilian hospital ship in the world, the new “Global Mercy”, at her naming ceremony in Rotterdam, before she embarked on her first mission to Africa. The viewing tour on board and presentations by the Mercy Ships founder and one of its surgeons showed in an inspiring way the passion of all concerned, as they follow their aim of changing lives and bringing healing.

The highlight of this cooperation so far has been the “vision trip” in September 2024 in Sierra Leone. Together with two members of the German Mercy Ships office staff and representatives from another foundation, Katja Jüngst and Prof. Heinz-Herbert Homann, member of the health committee of the Aumund Foundation, spent a week on board the ship.

The comprehensive insights into all aspects, the transparent communication and the uncompromising commitment of the entire team convinced us that there is a basis for significant expansion of this project partnership.