That is how Maroochydore nurse Katelyn Echter sums up her three months of service as a volunteer with Mercy Ships in the West African nation, one of the world's poorest countries.
"Seeing such incredible conditions under which the people of Liberia live following many years of civil war, the poverty, lack of facilities and absence of medical help makes me more appreciative of the life we have in this great country. My desire to help others as a nurse has also benefited from this time away as I learnt more about being attentive and patient," she says.
Katelyn heard about the work being done by Mercy Ships volunteers during her training. "I did spend a month in Uganda a few years ago, and as a Registered Nurse have wanted to use my nursing skills to help those in the developing world. It really is the reason why I became a nurse. I worked in Liberia onboard the charity's hospital ship Africa Mercy, the world's largest private hospital ship, as a Paediatric Nurse."
"It was something of a challenge being out of my comfort zone. I looked after children following massive surgical procedures that were completely foreign to me. I nursed some who were recovering from surgery to remove huge tumours, skin grafts, contractures, cleft lips and palates, and other surgical conditions I had never encountered in Australia.
"Mercy Ships is a Christian organisation, and all of the volunteers, who pay their own way to get there and while onboard, believe in the principle of following Jesus to bring hope and healing to the poor. That applies to their physical needs as well as to hearts and minds. The people of Liberia need all of that. Everyone has been affected by war. There is a strong UN presence wherever you go. It's a country trying to re-build and come out of years of poverty and corruption."
Katelyn says there were many highlights during the three months, many of them while off duty. "There were times of exploring the Liberian jungle, African sunsets, friendships formed with patients and crew, and times of fun with Liberian children. I was fascinated by the names of some of the children, names like Babygirl, Babyboy, Playboy, Mama, Comfort, Princess, Mercy and Blessing. One child who came for cleft lip surgery was named Hardtime, and there was a three-month-old named Oldpa Johnson. With the children there was often a language barrier, but they still came for some TLC because they could feel and see the love we had for them all."
Of the future, Katelyn says going back to the Africa Mercy could be an option, but the immediate need is to get back to work to ensure more financial support and experience before making decisions.
Mercy Ships is an international Christian charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor, mobilizing people and resources worldwide.
Mercy Ships offers a range of health and community development services free of charge. Highly skilled surgeons on board the ships perform thousands of operations each year to correct disability, disfigurement and blindness. Medical and dental teams travel the countries and establish clinics to provide vaccination programs, dental treatment and basic health care for those with no access to these facilities. Local community health workers receive training in hygiene, nutrition and disease prevention.
Mercy Ships builds hospitals, clinics, training facilities and basic housing where none exist. Agricultural projects help replenish livestock in war-torn areas and boost food production. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. The result is a way out of poverty.
The emphasis is on the needs of the world's poorest nations in West Africa, where the hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. A permanent land-based program operates in Sierra Leone, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships has 14 support offices around the world, including the Australian office at Caloundra.
www.mercyships.org.au