Tathra’s David Forrest is one of around 210 volunteer teachers from around the globe who have taught over 800 international students while serving with Mercy Ships over the past four decades.
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On World Teachers’ Day, October 5, Mercy Ships recognised the teachers who have donated their time and skills to teach children in a unique learning environment on board the charity’s floating hospitals, where life-changing surgeries are provided in developing nations.
In addition to math and science and other traditional subjects, students of the Mercy Ships Academy are taught the history, culture and economic situation of each country visited.
Teachers use every opportunity to help the students realise that their community is bigger than their immediate peers and family.
“One of the big differences about being educated at the Mercy Ships Academy is that the students can walk downstairs and meet face to face the people whose lives are being changed on the Mercy Ship,” said Mr Forrest, who serves as principal of the Africa Mercy’s school for the crew’s children.
Academy students participate in community service activities, such as painting a classroom at a nearby school for deaf students or making colouring books with encouraging words for the patients in the wards.
The school staff includes teachers from five nations and students from nine nations, with seven students from Australia, so their daily studies are conducted in a multicultural classroom.
“Education is about leading and responding. Students on the Mercy Ship are surrounded by many servant leaders working to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor,” Mr Forrest said.
“Daily they see how the international crew responds to the needs of the people in the developing world. What an incredible place to grow and develop a world view.”
Teaching on a floating hospital provides many unique experiences to expose students to real-life applications of theories learned in class.
“Having a school that floats allows for field trip opportunities in different countries each year,” Mr Forrest sdaid.
“In the 2014/15 school year the students visited a science and technology museum in Spain, an aquarium in South Africa and had a retreat hosted by the beautiful people of Madagascar on the coast where pirates like Captain Kidd buried treasure in the 17th Century. This brings classes like Social Studies to life.”
Mercy Ships Academy chief administrator Brian Blackburn said whether it be in discussions about the free surgeries happening a few decks down, or the health care training of African medical professionals on board, “the teachers draw from their unique environment to inspire the next generation”.
“The teachers take full advantage of their floating classrooms on board the world’s largest private hospital ship to help instil a world view of serving others in their students.”
Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1billion, with more than 2.5million direct beneficiaries.
Each year, more than 1200 volunteers from over 40 nations serve with Mercy Ships. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort.
Mercy Ships Australia, one of 16 international support offices, is based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. For more information, visit www.mercyships.org.au.