Nery’s journey of hope begins with two-day trek

Nery has been suffering from a painful hernia that prevented him from enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood, like playing soccer with his friends.

But MAF and Mercy Ships working together were able to connect the 12-year-old boy to hope and healing, flying him from a remote airstrip to have  surgery on board the Africa Mercy.

Even though MAF pilot Patrick Keller flew to Morafenobe, a town on the west coast of Madagascar, Nery and his father Florent had walked 90 kilometres from their village, Ambohimanara, just to get to the airstrip.

"We left our home on Saturday to catch the flight here on Monday," Florent explained.

The two had to sleep along the way and carried some food and a bottle of pineapple juice to sustain them during the long, exhausting trek. Without MAF and Mercy Ships their trek would have been coupled with another 4 to 5 days to get to Antananarivo by road.

With a MAF flight to the capital, young Nery could then transfer to the Mercy Ships vessel docked in the port of Toamasina.

Florent is relieved that his son could get medical treatment, and he admitted it had been a worrying time for the family because they did not understand Nery’s condition.

“He is like other kids but when he plays, he cannot do as much effort as the other, I feel bad for him,” Florent said.

Florent has five children, three boys and two girls. Nery is the third child in the family and had recently started attending school, which only goes up to the primary level in their village due to the lack of infrastructure, teachers and the willingness of some to work in the bush.

The family’s isolated location could have prevented Nery accessing medical care, but the partnership between MAF and Mercy Ships means that patients like Nery can be brought quickly and safely to the dedicated team on the ship. This flight is one more step in delivering essential medical care to the most isolated communities in Madagascar.

Florent has five children, three boys and two girls. Nery is the third child in the family and had recently started attending school, which only goes up to the primary level in their village due to the lack of infrastructure, teachers and the willingness of some to work in the bush.

The family’s isolated location could have prevented Nery accessing medical care, but the partnership between MAF and Mercy Ships means that patients like Nery can be brought quickly and safely to the dedicated team on the ship. This flight is one more step in delivering essential medical care to the most isolated communities in Madagascar.

The family knows no one in Toamasina, the city on the island’s east coast, where Mercy Ships is currently docked.

“We only know Mercy Ships and now MAF, we trust you,” Florent added.  They placed their trust in the doctors and the MAF team to take care of them. 

Most people in remote areas are unfamiliar with flying, and the sight of a plane and foreign pilot can be intimidating. However, MAF pilot Patrick Keller, who speaks Malagasy fluently, was able to communicate with them in their heart language, reassuring them. The ability to connect in this way made a huge difference in helping Nery and his father feel at ease.

The flight itself, which lasted just one hour, was a big contrast to the four-day journey they would have otherwise endured.

“That was very fast, I cannot believe we already arrived in Antananarivo,” Florent remarked, still surprised by the speed and comfort of the journey.

Upon their arrival at the international airport, Nery and his father were warmly welcomed by Michael Jurgensen, MAF’s Country Director in Madagascar and Bryce Wagner, Executive Director of Mercy Ships. The two leaders took the time to meet with Nery and his dad, offering words of support.

“This is what the partnership between MAF and Mercy Ships is all about — ensuring that those in the most remote places of Madagascar have access to the life-changing medical care they need,” said Michael.  

Bryce added: “Key partnerships are the foundation for bringing sustainable change and impact to the countries we serve. Both MAF and Mercy Ships share the same core mission: to help those in need by bringing hope and healing. The complementary work of the two organisations makes us more efficient and effective at achieving this common goal.”

After landing in Antananarivo, a Mercy Ships shuttle warmly welcomed Nery and his father, bringing them to Toamasina where they would begin the next step of their journey.

In the weeks that followed, Nery underwent his much-needed surgery, which was a success. His health improved, and his smile returned, lifting the spirits of his father, Florent, and everyone involved in his care.  

Vianney Vaute, the Communications Director on board the Africa Mercy, had the opportunity to meet Nery during his stay. 

“We want to print the pictures taken at the airstrip and give it to them,” he said of Nery’s healing journey. “They loved it.”