Over two years ago the Africa Mercy had to leave Senegal due to the pandemic. As a result, hundreds of patients were unable to receive the surgery they had hoped for. With the return of the Africa Mercy to Senegal last month, on February 23rd, patients boarded the ship and surgeries began again! Our first patient has already received her surgery and returned home to her family. Even though we are not in health care, we are still thrilled to be able to contribute to making these surgeries happen and being a part of bringing hope and healing to the beautiful people of Senegal!
Types of Surgeries
The two main types of surgeries being performed on the Africa Mercy are maxillo-facial and women’s health. Maxillo-facial surgeries typically produce some of the most profound before and after photos. The conditions seen are very rare in developed nations, or are dealt with immediately, and do not cause as pronounced disfigurement and death. The first surgery this field service was a woman in her 20s with a cleft lip. Many are not as lucky to make it to her age when dealing with a cleft lip, as it can cause infection and malnourishment. This is a surgery done at three months of age in the US. The woman has dealt with the shame and embarrassment of disfigurement for over 20 years. Other common maxillo-facial surgeries performed on the ship are cleft palates, encephalocele, noma, bony tumors requiring mandibulectomy/maxillectomy, soft tumors, parotid gland tumors, and TMJ ankylosis. So far in this field service, there are over 260 patients scheduled for maxillofacial surgeries.
Women’s health surgeries are the second type of surgeries that are performed on the Africa Mercy and are also rarely found in developed nations. Obstetric fistula repairs are one of the most prevalent women’s health surgeries performed onboard. Of the 64 scheduled women’s health surgeries scheduled in this field service, close to 50 of them are fistula repairs. An obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening in the female anatomy causing the leakage of urine or feces or both. They are a result of prolonged, obstructed labor without timely medical/surgical care; most often, the labor ends with a stillborn baby. It is estimated that over one million women in Africa and Asia suffer from untreated fistulas. In Senegal alone, approximately 25% of women have no trained birth attendant. Due to cultural norms, there is also a high adolescent birth rate, which also increases the risk of these fistulas. The social stigma surrounding this condition is heartbreaking, not to mention that most women lose their babies during the delivery. Many of these women are shunned by their families and community, some have not been touched in years. They have no hope of ever returning to a normal life of love, acceptance, and joy. They often work alone, eat alone, are not allowed to cook for anyone else, and sleep in separate huts. The surgical repair usually only takes about two hours. For the majority of patients, it is a simple fix; with a first-time surgical success rate of 88-90%.
Once the patients have healed and are ready for discharge, Mercy Ships will invite them to participate in a dress ceremony. Pre-COVID, this looked like a party with patients, providers, and even some crew singing, dancing, celebrating, and modeling a new dress gifted from the ship. With COVID restrictions high, it won’t look exactly the same this year; however, they will still receive a new dress to mark this new chapter of their life and many reminders that they are loved.
The other night while we were playing with the kids on the dock and I watched two women walk up with their beautiful, colorful African dresses on and enter the ship. It is powerful to think about how different their life will be when they walk off the ship. There is no way that they would ever be able to receive the type of surgeries they are getting here if it wasn't for Mercy Ships. This experience along with exploring Senegal and seeing the poverty that exists has allowed us to have some interesting conversations with Araina and Amayah about the privileges they have inherited just because of where they were born.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. ~Colossians 3:17
Jabulani Day
A few times a year at the Mercy Ships Academy we celebrate Jabulani Day (like a spirit day). Jabulani means "Rejoice, be happy in, bringing joy". Last week the students rotated through five different stations and expanded their knowledge about life in Senegal. As well, to start our Jabulani Day we had special guests come and talk to us about growing up in Senegal and played the drums for us.
For one of the activities, we watched this read-aloud about a little girl on her way to school in Senegal. If you have little ones at home I think they will really enjoy this story! After we watched the story we talked about how our lives are the same and different than the main character, Aminata.
Goree Island
We had the opportunity to take a ferry to Goree Island. Goree is a tiny, car-free island off the coast of Dakar and just 20 minutes from our port. It’s known for its role in the 15th- to 19th-century Atlantic slave trade. The local people have preserved the island and many of the buildings and artifacts so that we would never forget what happened. The Door of No Return was a very powerful sight (seen in the photo below). It was at this point where thousands (or more) African slaves took the final step from their home continent and onto the slave ships that would bring them to the new world, if they even survived the journey. The island had beautiful architecture and talented artisans. In the photos below is a man who uses different colored sand from around Senegal to make beautiful pictures.
As always....we love getting real mail! Thank you Ruth and Jaye for your letters!
If you feel like reaching out, you can send mail to this address and we should get it in a few weeks:
Mercy Ships - AFM- Crew Mail
Chris (or Shae, Araina, or Amayah) Attwater
15862 State Highway 110 N.
Lindale, Texas
USA
75771-202
Prayers of thanks:
surgeries have started on the Africa Mercy
for all of you for supporting us with encouraging words, prayers, and financially
for being born in Canada and all of the privileges we have inherited
Araina's teacher is feeling better and back full-time in the Grade 4 class
Prayer requests:
for the patients who are recovering from surgeries and those patiently waiting for their surgery
for wisdom, peace, and strength for the medical crew who are working long hours to do this life-changing work for the people of Senegal
for the Africa Mercy to stay covid free
If you would like to support us financially, please use the link below or click on the DONATE button at the top of our website.
We are so grateful for each and every one of you who are reading this and joining us on the journey! We love being a part of the work that God is doing here!
With lots of love and gratitude,
Chris, Shae, Araina, & Amayah
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