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Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships uses its hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care and assistance in capacity building and sustainable development to developing countries. The charity has worked in more than 70 countries, performing services that have had an impact on more than 2.9 million people. Each year, more than 1,200 surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, or agriculturalists volunteer their time and skills.

“Mercy Ships is honored to be chosen by The Rotary Foundation as a strategic partner for disease prevention and treatment," says Don Stephens, president and founder of the charity. "The scope of Rotary’s service to humanity is truly monumental, and it is my belief that the synergy of our organizations working together will be an even greater force to increase health care delivery systems in West Africa.”

Previous projects

Rotarians have a record of working with Mercy Ships, carrying out projects in several countries. The Rotary clubs of Jacksonville, Florida, USA, and Tema, Accra, Ghana, helped equip the Africa Mercy in 2007 to provide medical aid in Ghana. Jacksonville Rotarians also partnered with the Rotary Club of Monrovia, Liberia, to support eye and facial surgeries for more than 1,200 patients in Monrovia from 2008 to 2011.

Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland named Mercy Ships its Charity of Choice in 2005-06.

Rotary Foundation Global Grants support large, international projects with sustainable, high-impact outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. Packaged global grants developed by the Foundation and Mercy Ships will directly support the disease prevention and treatment area of focus. Because the administrative work of designing the project and finding a partnering organization has already been done, Rotary clubs and districts can focus on identifying beneficiaries, providing technical expertise or direct service, and publicizing the effort.

One hundred districts are participating in the Future Vision pilot, a three-year test of the Foundation's streamlined grant structure, which began 1 July 2010. All districts will begin using the model on 1 July 2013.
The Foundation also has approved strategic partnerships with Aga Khan University and Oikocredit International. Information on how pilot clubs and districts can apply for packaged global grants with Mercy Ships will be available soon at www.rotary.org.

For more information:

• Read a story about the partnership on the Mercy Ship's website

• Learn more about Rotary's partnerships with Aga Khan University and Oikocredit International
• Learn more about packaged global grant

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