"The people of Sierra Leone, among the world's poorest, have a lot of hope and see a bright future, despite living in absolute poverty."
Lindsay spent a month onboard the world's largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, serving as a volunteer with Mercy Ships. As with all volunteers, she paid her own way and contributed crew fees while onboard to help offset running costs. During that time she spent much of it travelling through Sierra Leone as a member of an eye team taking part in screening of potential patients to receive free surgery to restore sight to those with cataracts and other problems; testing others for glasses and those who would benefit from medication. Onboard the ship with its six operating theatres, she also carried out follow-up checks after surgery to ensure good results and recovery.
"I have been working with eyes for a number of years since commencing studies in Optometry at Queensland University of Technology. Since then I have completed a Bachelor of Medicine/ Bachelor of Surgery, providing more experience in the health field. With my normal employment at Royal Brisbane Hospital, I also try to squeeze in some Optometry work," she says.
Lindsay says she was excited when she heard from an eye specialist who served with Mercy Ships last year about the unique opportunity of serving the poor in West Africa onboard a hospital ship. "I had worked in Africa twice before, with Optometry Network Australia in Tanzania in 2005 and with Unite for Sight in 2007. Work in the Northern Territory also helped to prepare me for the challenges to be faced in Africa."
"There were some concerns among family members and friends about the level of safety in Sierra Leone, given the high profile of the nation in the media during the long years of civil war. But I found the country to be peaceful and the people friendly. I felt very safe. Short-term, I hope that my work has made a small difference to the people I served – by medications, visual aids or by giving them an opportunity to receive sight-saving surgery."
There were many highlights. "The teamwork, friendship and support among nearly 450 volunteers onboard were stronger than I have experienced anywhere. There was a great level of satisfaction one morning to be part of a team which screened more than 300 people, and to see the smile on the faces of patients when their eye patches were removed after cataract surgery enabling them to see again."
Lindsay believes her experiences in Sierra Leone have changed her in a number of ways. "I am sure my time with Mercy Ships will make me a better clinician. I have also been motivated to pursue further studies in Ophthalmology to enable a return in the future not only to provide assistance with screening and prescribing, but hopefully to perform sight saving surgeries for those in need, both overseas and at home. Personally, the experience has changed my view of the world, and my attitudes to the life I lead. I hope that in the long-term I can return to serve again and help more of the needy.
Mercy Ships is a global charity that has operated hospital ships in developing nations since 1978 providing free health care and community development services to the forgotten poor. Following the example of Jesus, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor. 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 world's largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services extending up to ten months at a time. Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. Mercy Ships Australia, one of 14 international support offices is based on the Queensland Sunshine Coast.
For more inforamation, visit www.mercyships.org.au
