If you haven’t heard yet, the Africa Mercy is headed toward Madagascar
for its next field service!
Originally,
we had hoped to serve the nation of Guinea during this field service, but due
to the Ebola outbreak, our field service location was changed to Benin. Amidst growing concerns about the spread of
the disease in Western Africa, Mercy Ships
accepted the invitation from the President of the Republic of Madagascar to
bring the Africa Mercy to Madagascar
for its next field service until the middle of 2015.
Madagascar is located off the south-eastern
coast of Africa. More than 43% of its more than 22 million inhabitants are
under the age of 20, and the nation is positioned 151 out of 187 nations in the
UN Human Development Index. Ninety percent of the
population lives on less than two dollars per day, and official reports
indicate that Madagascar has about 16
doctors for every 100,000 citizens.
A protracted political crisis in recent years has
endangered the nation’s ability to meet a number of millennium development
goals and has taken a heavy toll on Madagascar’s economy and people, especially
the most vulnerable.
Madagascar lies in the Indian Ocean off
the southeast coast of Africa opposite Mozambique. The world's fourth-largest
island, it is twice the size of Arizona. The country's low-lying coastal area
gives way to a central plateau. The once densely wooded interior has largely
been cut down.
Malagasy and French
are both official languages of the state. The majority of
the population adheres to traditional beliefs, Christianity, or an amalgamation of
both. Ecotourism and agriculture, paired with greater investments in education,
health and private enterprise, are key elements of Madagascar's development
strategy.
I am glad to be back on the ship. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support while I am away from my family and friends back home. I couldn't do this without you!
After we left Cape Town we sailed past the Cape of Good Hope
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