For five years, Marie Elisa lived in agony, a tumor the size of an orange growing relentlessly on her jaw. Once a hardworking farmer and devoted mother of four, she was forced to abandon her fields and watch helplessly as her youngest daughter dropped out of school. The pain was unbearable, and surgery was an impossible dream—until a chance encounter changed everything.
In January 2024, a team from Mercy Ships, an international charity providing free surgical care, was traveling through Madagascar when a cyclone unexpectedly altered their route. Driving through a small village they hadn’t planned to visit, they spotted Marie Elisa walking near the market.
“We saw her and yelled, ‘Stop the bus!’” recalled Maddy Hartung, an Australian volunteer nurse with the team.
As they approached her, the entire village gathered, pointing her out and leading her toward the medical team. On the village chief’s porch, Marie Elisa was examined and told she might qualify for free surgery aboard the hospital ship, Africa Mercy®, docked in Toamasina.
With no other options, she took a leap of faith. “I was sick and willing to risk it—I had nothing to lose,” she said.
The journey to Toamasina took three days. Due to severe weight loss caused by the tumor, doctors placed her on a nutrition program before surgery. Finally, she was strong enough for the operation.
A team of UK and US surgeons, including Dr. Leo Cheng and Dr. Gary Parker, successfully removed the tumor, giving her a new lease on life.
“If she hadn’t received surgery, the tumor would have kept growing, pressing against her airway and making it hard to breathe or eat,” said Dr. Erik Andersen, an anesthetic supervisor from Australia.
When Marie Elisa woke up, the relief was overwhelming. “I thank God the tumor is gone. I can eat normally again,” she said, eager to return home.
Back in her village, her husband Claude anxiously awaited news, praying daily for her recovery. “All I could do was pray, ‘Oh God, please heal my wife and free her from this illness,’” he recalled.
Weeks later, it was Claude’s turn. He, too, had been silently suffering—a cyst in his left eye had plagued him for five years. This time, Marie Elisa returned to the ship not as a patient, but as his caregiver.
His surgery was a success, and together, the couple returned home, filled with hope for the future.
Marie Elisa is eager to return to her fields and rebuild the life that illness stole from her. “When I’m fully recovered, I can go back to my former job,” she said, smiling for the first time in years.
Her story is just one of more than 1,375 free surgeries that Mercy Ships will provide in Madagascar over the next ten months. As the Africa Mercy continues its mission, lives like Marie Elisa’s will be forever changed—one surgery at a time.
From Deckhand to Dreamer
For Josoa Mino, joining Mercy Ships wasn’t just about finding a job—it was the opportunity of a lifetime. As a day crew member aboard the Africa Mercy®, Josoa has discovered a world of possibilities, personal growth, and newfound confidence that has reshaped his future.
Growing up in poverty in Madagascar, Josoa faced countless obstacles. His mother searched tirelessly for organizations that could help them, eventually finding a charity led by an Australian couple, Colin Baldwin and Kim Radford. Thanks to their support, Josoa received an education—an opportunity that changed the course of his life.
When Mercy Ships announced its return to Madagascar, Colin encouraged him to apply. He secured a position in the Deck Department, taking on vital responsibilities like painting, rust removal, and transporting medical supplies.
“We do it with love, confidence, and God’s guidance,” Josoa shared.
Mercy Ships is more than just a workplace; it’s a community of global volunteers—doctors, nurses, deckhands, and cooks—united by a mission to bring free surgical care to those in need. The ship employs over 200 local Malagasy crew members, offering professional development in fields like engineering and culinary arts.
For Josoa, the most unexpected transformation has been learning English, a skill that has opened doors he never imagined. “I’ve gained extensive knowledge about ships, but the biggest lesson has been believing in myself,” he said.
Life aboard the Africa Mercy isn’t just about work—it’s about joy and unity. The day crew has become known for their singing, earning the nickname The Malagasy Choir Masters.
“The ship has given me a sense of worth,” Josoa said. “At one point, I was at rock bottom, but God lifted me up.”
Now back home with his mother, Josoa is determined to improve their living conditions. “I want to renovate our house, creating two separate rooms for more privacy,” he shared, excitedly detailing his plans.
More importantly, he hopes to inspire his young nephew, just as Colin was a father figure to him. “I want to show him that no matter where you come from, you can achieve big things,” Josoa said.