Lifestyles
Mercy Ships Is honored by the Republic of Benin
By Kathy Gohmert - U.S. Public Relations Liaison
Nov 21, 2009

Mercy Ships founders and chief eye surgeon receive Lifetime Award

Cotonou, Benin, West Africa, November 17, 2009 - Mercy Ships received a high honor given by the President of the Republic of Benin, H.E. Dr Thomas Yayi Boni, for bringing hope and healing to the forgotten poor. At a special State Dinner, H.E. President Boni conveyed the gratitude of his government and the people of Benin to those who serve on the Africa Mercy.  All the Cabinet members from President Boni’s administration were in attendance.  Busses carried 350 crew members, representing over 30 different nations, to the Governmental Palace in Contonou for the formal dinner. 

The guests were also entertained by a performance troupe displaying native dance and musical performance. The President was insistent that all Mercy Ships crew were honored and thoughtfully delivered the same native cuisine served at the event to the estimated 80 crew members who remained in service onboard the Africa Mercy. 

In addition to the state dinner, Medals were awarded to Mercy Ships crew at the Palace that bestowed diplomatic status and privilege to report directly to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in honor of the 2009 Mercy Ships Field Service.  This rare privilege is primarily reserved for national diplomats and not charitable organizations.

Commendations of Commandeur de l'Ordre National du Benin (or Commanders of the Republic) award were given to Mercy Ships co-founders, Don and Deyon Stephens, and to Chief Eye Surgeon on the Africa Mercy, Dr. Glenn Strauss. This medal is highly regarded in all nations and is a lifetime award.

“On behalf of all staff and supporters worldwide who have been involved over 31 years, Deyon and I, along with Dr. Glenn Strauss, accept this honor on behalf of all the Mercy Ships family,” said Don Stephens. 

President Boni also congratulated Dr. Gary Parker, who was presented with the Commandeur de l'Ordre National du Benin medal by President Mathieu Kérékou in 2001.  President Boni conveyed his thanks to Mercy Ships for their second visit to his nation this decade and for the love and care they showed the people of Benin. Mercy Ships follows the 2000-year-old model of Jesus in bringing hope and healing to all the people they serve– without regard to religion, ethnicity, or color.

Daslin Small Oueounou, Mercy Ships Benin Field Director, and Ken Berry, Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, were also bestowed the honor of Knight de l’Ordre National du Benin (or Knights of the Republice) at the same State Dinner ceremony.

Texas State Representative Dan Flynn, representing District #2 which serves many of the Staff and Crew based at the International Operations Center of Mercy Ships in Texas, was also in attendance for the dinner and is currently conducting a week long tour of Mercy Ships activities in Benin. 

“Seeing the life-changing work of Mercy Ships on a first-hand basis is a highlight for both me and my wife Susan,” said Representative Flynn.
 
ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services to those without access in the developing world.  Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries, providing services valued at more than $748 million and impacting more than 2.16 million direct beneficiaries. More than 1200 crew worldwide, representing more than 40 nations, are joined each year by 2000 short-term volunteers. 

Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort.  Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor. For more information, click on www.mercyships.org