Eaton family work together on board African Mercy Ship

Nurse Tamara Lowe loves her job so much that she finally convinced her parents to fly half way across the world to work alongside her on her latest medical mission to Africa.

Miss Lowe has been volunteering with the international medical charity Mercy Ships on board their hospital ship every year since 2014, and had always wanted to share the experience with her parents Mark and Liz Lowe. 

Mr and Mrs Lowe finally took the leap to volunteer earlier this year, travelling to the Canary Islands in July to join the hospital ship on its sail to the West African nation of Guinea.

“Guinea is the same as all of Africa, the problem is too big so why should I try, what can I do? But if we all, and I mean all, do our bit we can make a difference,” Mr Lowe said.

“Nothing can prepare you for this except love and compassion and a willingness to serve.”

Mrs Lowe said that the majority of people in Guinea were some of the poorest in the world. 

“One thing I like about Mercy Ships is that they spend a lot of time and effort in training the locals,” she said.

“Whether it be the doctors or dentists or any other field of expertise we can train, it means that when we leave, the country is better off because of those who live here now have more skills.”

The Africa Mercy hospital ship arrived in Conakry, Guinea, in August 2018 with plans to provide 2,500 life-changing surgeries on board, treat over 8,000 people at a dental clinic and provide health care training to local medical professionals during 10 months in port.

After four years aboard, Miss Lowe said she absolutely loved the work.

“It is hard and challenging at times, but I find it very rewarding to be able to help the people we serve to heal from their physical and often emotional wounds,” she said. 

“It’s a beautiful thing to be able to see them come out of their shells and take a step back into society.

Mr and Mrs Lowe returned home last week, whilst Tamara will continue serving until June 2019.