We've been asked some great questions since we started this journey with Mercy Ships. We will try to answer them as best we can below. If you have a question - let us know and we will try to find an answer :)
We started our application in March 2023 and over the next 9 months completed several interviews via video calls, filled in many forms and provided information including medical histories, vaccination histories, referee checks and completed personality testing. In early October we received the final confirmation that we would be joining Africa Mercy in January 2024. The process was long and involved, but worth it.
Mercy Ships prefers long term volunteers to have completed an "on-boarding" process before joining a ship. This can be completed at their International Service Centre (ISC) in Lindale (approximately 1 1/2 hours drive from Dallas, Texas). Mercy Ships is starting to do this training on board their ships this year to try and make it easier for new volunteers to attend. The course we did went for approximately 2 weeks. It was a great introduction to the culture, background and processes that Mercy Ships has. It was also a wonderful time of getting to know other volunteers who we are now working with onboard Africa Mercy or are based at the ISC. There were many volunteers who we met who have now joined Global Mercy and it is amazing to have connections to the other ship even though they are in Sierra Leone.
It took us about 6 days sailing. The Africa Mercy travels slowly, for the most part, as they try to conserve fuel. The sail was rough on some days but we managed to travel pretty well. A few times we had moments of feeling a bit off and sitting in an office or classroom with no window took a bit of getting used to. All crew on board were offered free sea sickness tablets they could take if needed.
Honestly, the food is pretty good! It may not always be what you would choose to cook yourself but there is always plenty of food. There are generally a few options and a mix of cooked and fresh items. There is always some salad available at lunch and dinner and a selection of vegetables. The types of meat vary and often there will be a meatless alternative. There are foods that we are learning to eat that we haven't had before - plantain, cassava leaf sauce/stew and different types of fish. We've now experienced Easter on board and the Easter Sunday lunch is sensational. The food was really amazing with plenty of meats, seafood, salads, vegetables, breads, cheeses and desserts. We've been told that Christmas day lunch is a similar event.
There is a crew galley on board. This is basically a big kitchen cooking space with several ovens, stoves and workspaces. There are kitchen appliances and cooking utensils. We have only cooked biscuits, damper and tortillas in the kitchen, however, many people regularly cook all sorts of amazing things such as sourdough, cinnamon scrolls, hot cross buns and amazing smelling curries and chilli sauces.
Purchasing many ingredients is possible in the local supermarkets in Toamasina. The prices can be expensive if you are wanting an item that is imported, however, fresh ingredients such as fruit and vegetables can be purchased at the market (if you are happy with locally available items). I can assure you that nowhere have I seen any vegemite for sale sadly.