Help Me Volunteer on a Mercy Ship

Hello, my name is Jonathan, and I am currently taking a gap year. Unexpectedly, as part of my gap year I am able to volunteer to work for Mercy Ships on the Global Mercy in Sierra Leone for 4 months starting January 2025. Being a volunteer position I will have to fund the various costs entailed with volunteering. Being a prospective university student, help funding these costs would be greatly impactful and appreciated.

The first costs that I need to cover are the immunisation and booster shots I will need to work on the ship. These include immunisations for Yellow Fever; Hepatitis A and B and boosters for such as Polio. To get these immunisations I will have to travel to a different city multiple times, meaning costs for public transport as well. In addition, I will need to purchase Malaria pills for as long as I will be there. I will also need to purchase insurance for the 4 months I will be in Sierra Leone to cover any emergency I might encounter. Another immediate expense I need to cover is that of transport to Sierra Leone via an aeroplane through Brussels.

Once in Sierra Leone I will have further costs, Sierra Leone has a strict clothing culture and has quite hot temperatures. I therefore will need to buy cultural/ weather appropriate wear for both on and off the boat. Finally, I will need some spending money for regular monthly needs as well as for any time I am able to spend off the boat exploring a culture I am yet to experience.

I have budgeted this total cost approximately with slight headroom for any unforeseen costs which tend to materialise for one working and living in an unfamiliar environment. This GoFundMe has gone up rather late compared to when I am going to Sierra Leone due to it being a recent addition to my plan for the year. Originally I was contracted to work at a school to fund my first year of university. However, the administration did not successfully gain a work visa in order to hire me and I was forced to rethink my plans for the year. I am exceedingly excited by the opportunity to share God’s love and make a meaningful impact while immersing myself in a new country and continent for me, yet, I will no longer be making money to support my university studies. As such, any extra funds would be greatly appreciated; offsetting the loss of earnings in favour of this amazing opportunity.

Thank you very much to anyone who chooses to support to me in this way. I can not wait to grow as a person while simultaneously making a real positive impact in the lives of others.