Hi, my dear internet friends!
I have been asked to write a little about me, my current project and the fundraising I have going on in english. So here goes ….
I am currently working in the anesthesia department of a private hospital in Basel, Switzerland. I am very privileged and blessed to be working in a very nice and comfortable working environment and serving my private patients.
But since about nine years ago I always wanted to go and serve in a developing country or very poor region, where the people are desperately in need of medical care and I can serve with the medical skills I was allowed to develop over the past sixteen years during my time as nurse, paramedic/EMT and volunteering in civil protection. It has always been my dream to work with an organization which has a long-term impact on the regions that they serve in.
From October 2015 – February 2016, I have the opportunity to serve in the anesthesia department aboard the Africa Mercy, in Tamatave, Madagascar, with the global charity organization, Mercy Ships.
Since 1978, Mercy Ships has operated a fleet of hospital ships that travel to developing nations all around the world, offering medical services to those in need, who would normally have no access to these services.
They have performed thousands of surgeries – for example reconstructive and orthopedic surgeries, such as craniofacial tumors, cleft lip, cleft palate, ear-nose-throat diseases, club feet, neglected trauma and congenital conditions. The Medical team also provides eye care and oral health treatment.
Mercy Ships also partners with local agencies to help families and communities learn practical and natural food-producing skills that reduce malnutrition and increase food security in the nations they serve and provide many other services.
One of Mercy Ships’ goals is to leave the host nation better equipped with the training, tools, and infrastructure to care for their own after the organization leaves.
You can find out more about the mission and successes of Mercy Ships, and where they serve, on one of their local websites: www.mercyships.org , www.mercyships.de , or www.mercyships.ch
Part of my responsibilities on the ship will be preparing the patients for surgery, monitoring patient’s vital signs as well as maintaining and monitoring the anesthesia equipment, medical supplies and medications.
Since Mercy Ships invests all its donations in the projects, materials they need, and the people they serve, I have to raise all of the finances I need for my time of service on the ship – which include travel expenses, crew fees (food and accommodation), insurances, and vaccines. So that is why I am doing the fundraising you have probably heard about.
If you are interested and would like to make a donation, you can either donate through your local mercy ships website (see above) or on http://www.gofundme.com/silke-kessing
Or you can contact me personally for further information – prayers appreciated!
Either way, I am very very happy and thankful for any support you may like to give.
If you have any questions, I am happy to answer, just shoot!
Much love from switzerland!
Silke
