In the sparkling heart of the Mediterranean, Monaco is known for glamour, luxury, and charitable hearts. One such charitable force is Roland Brautigam, Monaco ambassador for Mercy Ships, a global non-profit organisation that operates the world’s two largest civilian hospital ships. We sat down with Roland Brautigam to learn more about Mercy Ships’ life-changing mission, their extraordinary impact across Africa, and their upcoming charity gala in the Principality.

TM: Tell us about Mercy Ships—what is the core of the mission?

Roland Brautigam: Mercy Ships is a non-profit organisation that brings hope and healing to some of the most underserved communities in the world. We operate the two largest civilian hospital ships in the world. One of them is currently docked in Madagascar, and the other rotates throughout West and Central Africa.

Our work is threefold. First and foremost, we provide free surgeries on board—life-changing procedures for those who would otherwise never have access to safe or affordable healthcare. These include cataract surgeries that restore sight after years of blindness, operations to remove benign tumors, cleft lip and palate repairs, and orthopedic surgeries for children suffering from bone deformities.

Second, we focus heavily on training. Local healthcare professionals are invited on board, where they receive practical, hands-on training in the latest techniques, tools, and treatments. Over the course of a year, we train more than 55,000 healthcare workers.

And third, we work within local hospitals—though many are more like simple homes with a table in the middle—and help transform them. We bring running water, electricity, repaint facilities, provide equipment and training. Many people are shocked to learn that 3 in 4 hospitals in Africa lack running water, and only 1 in 25 has access to Wi-Fi.

Is Mercy Ships’ work focused solely on Africa?

Primarily, yes. Africa is where the need is greatest, and where we’ve been able to make the largest impact. The conditions we see are often unimaginable—children walking on twisted legs, people who’ve lived in the dark for years due to untreated cataracts, patients with massive facial tumors caused by untreated infections.

How long do the ships stay in one country?

Usually around a year, sometimes longer depending on the need and logistical conditions. This allows us to both complete thousands of surgeries and establish long-term training and infrastructure improvements.

When did Mercy Ships begin?

Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 by Don Stephens. The idea came to him after a conversation with Mother Teresa, who told him it was his destiny to pursue this dream. Don Stephens and his wife began with a vision to bring healthcare to those in need—and today, Mercy Ships continues to fulfill that dream with remarkable scope and compassion.

Could you tell us more about the ships themselves?

Currently, we operate two ships. The Africa Mercy has been in service for over 25 years and is due for replacement. We’re now raising funds to build a new hospital ship. The Global Mercy, which began operating in 2022, is the largest civilian hospital ship in the world and will continue our mission while we work to replace the older vessel.

How many surgeries are performed on board each year?

Each ship performs around 1,500 surgeries a year, so over 3,000 in total. That’s about 10 operations a day. These are complex, transformative surgeries provided entirely free of charge.

Are the medical staff volunteers?

Yes—everyone on board is a volunteer. That includes doctors, nurses, technicians, cooks, cleaners, receptionists—everyone. We welcome around 2,600 volunteers annually. Many of them leave behind lives of comfort—big homes, swimming pools—and live in small cabins for months just to serve others.

My personal passion is to support these volunteers. While our mission is to care for patients, I believe supporting the people who give their time, expertise, and heart is just as important. They make themselves available—we must make the funding available.

Most stay between 6 and 12 months, though some commit to up to two years. It’s a significant personal and professional commitment.

How can medical professionals apply to volunteer?

They can contact me directly, and I’ll connect them with Mercy Ships’ volunteer division. In fact, many people not only volunteer their time—they even donate to be selected as volonteer. Mercy Ships also runs a strong digital campaign that attracts passionate volunteers from around the globe.

Which surgeries are most in demand in Africa?

We see a high number of children with orthopedic deformities—bowed legs, twisted feet—often due to poor nutrition or untreated conditions. Cleft lips, facial tumors, and cataracts are also very common. Burn victims, too.

You’re hosting a charity gala in Monaco soon—can you tell us more?

Yes! On June 14, we will host the second edition of the Mercy Ships Monaco Gala at the Salle Empire of Hôtel de Paris. The first gala, held last year, raised €400,000. This year, we’re confident we’ll surpass that. Monaco is a generous and engaged community, and this cause truly resonates here.

Tickets are €1,000, and 100% of the funds go directly to the charity. There are no complicated boards or commissions deciding where the money goes—every euro funds surgeries, equipment, medications, or training. To put it into perspective, one life-saving surgery costs €500. A single gala ticket can restore sight to 20 blind people or fund two life-saving surgeries. That’s a powerful message.

We’ve also been selected as a future charity of choice by the Barbagiuans Monaco, which will result in a partnership next years.

If you had to summarise Mercy Ships in one sentence, what would it be?

Mercy Ships is a global organisation that brings hope and healing to where it’s needed most.