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9


ISATU, AFTER


When she was just 10 years old, Isatu’s jaw began to swell, causing her to lose several teeth. Despite efforts to reduce the swelling, a large tumour continued to grow, dominating her face and her life Isatu is one of the five


billion people world- wide who don’t have access to surgery when they need it. Every single year, some 18 million people die from conditions


that


could have been treated.


Tat’s


EXISTING WILL TO LEAVE A GIFT TO MERCY SHIPS, VISIT: MERCYSHIPS. ORG.UK/LEGACY


more than those who die from malaria, HIV and TB combined. Tis is a global surgery


crisis. Tese statistics are truly shocking, but behind the numbers


are personal stories


of tragedy. “When I’m walking, I cover


my face because when people see me they talk,” explained Isatu. “Tey make fun of me. So when they talk, I’m ashamed. Tey make me cry.” For


17 years, Isatu faced


mockery and whispers. However, her tumour slowly became more than just a social stigma. It was life-threatening. “[Tumors


like Isatu’s] are


usually benign,” Dr Gary Parker, head maxillofacial surgeon for Mercy Ships, explains. “Tey’re not cancerous, but can prove fatal. You can suffocate to death because the tumour pushes your tongue back into your throat until you can no


YOURSELF, OR IF YOU’D LIKE TO AMEND AN


ABOUT HAVING A WILL MADE AT NO COST TO


TO FIND OUT MORE IF YOU’D LIKE


longer keep your airway open.” Faced with the fear that her burden could one day take her life, Isatu searched for a solution. One day, she heard about a hospital ship offering surgeries in Conakry, Guinea, and made the journey from Sierra Leone in search of healing. Te ship


was the Africa Mercy. Tis f l o a tin g hospital does more than offer


free surgeries — the volun- teer crew provides


training and mentoring for local medical professionals,


helping to raise the standards of care available in each country the charity Mercy Ships partners with. Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has


worked in 56 countries, performed more than 105,500 surgical proce- dures and trained in excess of 49,000 medical professionals. Mercy Ships works in part-


nership with each country the charity visits, working to identify the training required and improve healthcare provision in each country long after the ship has left port. Isatu’s first surgery onboard, performed by Dr Parker,


lasted


for five hours. Several days after her surgery,


Isatu’s nurse began


to change the bandage. It was a slow, gentle process and somewhat routine until the nurse handed Isatu a mirror.


As Isatu looked at her reflection,


her expression turned to one of awe — it was as if she could see a whole new future. And despite the swelling


from the surgery, her smile shone through. “To see


that reaction from


someone who was so quiet, timid and afraid when she arrived, who’s now fully herself, well it’s like


seeing a new person be born,” said Blaire Scmalberg, the volunteer nurse who worked with Isatu. Te Africa Mercy is staffed


almost entirely by volunteers, meaning that all donations go even further in providing health- care, training and changing lives. Tis amazing legacy of change is only possible with donations and support from the public.


ISATU, BEFORE HOME VISIT SURGERY


T: 01438 727800 mercyships.org.uk


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