Benin’s President Boni Welcomes Mercy Ships

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Benin’s President Boni Welcomes Mercy Ships

Highlights Millennium Challenge Initiative and Access to Health Care for the Poor



By Peter Wooding
Special to ASSIST News Service

COTONOU, BENIN (ANS) – During the Mercy Ship’s first week of surgeries in their nation, the President of Benin, Dr. Thomas Yayi Boni, and several cabinet ministers visited the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship, to express hope for increasing access to health care for the poor in his nation.

Founders of Mercy Ships, Don and Deyon Stephens, greet Benin President Yayi Boni as he arrives at the Africa Mercy, docked in Cotonou, Benin

President Boni emphasized the contribution Mercy Ships is making to his
government’s effort in providing better access to health care.He spoke briefly about the “Millennium Challenge,” a government initiative that seeks to provide improved access and infrastructure to the people of Benin.

“Our ambition is to bring health to everyone here [in Benin]. That is why we are so grateful you have come. Everything you are doing enters perfectly into what we would like for Benin,” explained President Boni in his address to the crew onboard.

Blessed is he that considers the poor

In his speech, the President quoted from Psalm 41: “Blessed is he that considers the poor.” He mentioned his gratitude for the determination Mercy Ships showed in reaching out through additional screenings held in the North of Benin shortly after the ship docked. Screenings last week near the port of Cotonou were attended by more than 5,000 people seeking help.

The volunteer crew is projected to impact more than 53,000 lives by providing free medical care, training, and capacity building programs during its 10-month field service in Benin, according to Mercy Ships CEO Sam Smith.

In February 2006, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) signed a five-year grant agreement for approximately $307 million USD, with the Government of Benin to improve physical and institutional infrastructure by focusing on access to four critical sectors: land, financial services, justice, and markets.

Mercy Ships is a true friend

“We would like to create a new and modern Benin. That is why you are partners of Benin. My government and I are here to show you our thanks for your being here,” Boni said, stating that Mercy Ships is a true friend, as this is the fourth visit of a Mercy Ship to his country. The last visit was in 2004.

The President’s entourage was given a guided tour of the Africa Mercy’s hospital, including one of the operating rooms and a visit to patients in one of the wards.

Commitment to Benin during economically stretching time

Mercy Ships Founder/President, Don Stephens, formally thanked President Boni for the co-operation and support the people of Benin have shown to Mercy Ships. He spoke of the commitment the ship’s crew and offices in 15 nations have to help Benin during this economically stretching time in the world.

Sandwiched between Nigeria and Togo, nearly a third of Benin’s population of 8.5 million residents live on less than $2 a day, according to UN figures.(1) For the past decade, Benin has been at the forefront of African democratization. Yet, the country remains beset with numerous problems, as evidenced by its ranking of 163 out of 177 countries on the Human Development Index.

About Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships is the leader in using hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services to the poor. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor in developing nations.

Over the past 30 years, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $670 million, directly impacting more than 1.9 million people. More than 850 crew worldwide, representing more than 35 nations, are joined each year by hundreds of short-term volunteers.

Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, community developers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. For more information go to www.mercyships.org

Peter Wooding is a freelance TV, radio and print journalist and media consultant. He is married to Sharon and they live in North Wales, UK with their three children. He has traveled extensively reporting from countries including Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Dubai, South Korea, Zambia, Gambia, Mozambique, Croatia, Israel and India. He was news editor for UCB radio in the UK for more than 10 years. Having previously been a missionary for five years with Youth With A Mission, Peter still has a real heart for missions work and in the past few years has led short-term mission trips to Zambia, Beslan, Russia and Ukraine. He is also the director of ASSIST Europe which is involved in helping children’s projects in Eastern Europe including the Hearts of Love Centre in Konotop, Ukraine. Peter is available for freelance and media consultancy work. To contact him email: woodingpeter@hotmail.com,  tel. +44 1244 549167/+44 7500 903067.

<!–BYLINE:By Peter Wooding
Special to ASSIST News Service–>