Sales rep has family connection to Mercy Ship

Sharon Schaalje of Sutton Group – West Coast Realty in Victoria consistently donates to the Mercy Ship organization, which serves the poorest countries of the world and their populations.  It converts cargo ships into hospitals and offers free specialized surgeries aboard. It also establishes community development projects in surrounding villages.

Schaalje’s daughter, Deb Jacobsen and her family have been aboard and working on the Africa Mercy since August. They are currently anchored off the coast of Benin in western Africa. The ship’s hospital is 1,200 square metres and has the capacity to offer 7,000 surgical procedures a year. To operate this ship and its services there is a crew of 400 to 450 at all times. Jacobson works as a ward counselor and administrator, while her husband, Mike Jacobsen, is the financial director.  They also have two children, ages 11 and 14, who attend school on the ship.  The cost for their family to stay onboard and working is $2,500 per month. “I continually donate as much as I can.  It is a way that I can help humanity,” says Schaalje.

Visit www.mercyships.org to learn more about the organization and how to make a donation.