Narellan Vale resident’s ‘humbling’ volunteer experience

Narellan Vale’s Tara Norton has crossed the globe for a heartwarming cause, volunteering for global charity Mercy Ships off the coast of West Africa.

Narellan Vale nurse Tara Norton, who recently volunteered on with global charity Mercy Ships. Picture: Gedeon Lamah

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Narellan Vale’s Tara Norton has crossed the globe for a heartwarming cause, volunteering for global charity Mercy Ships off the coast of West Africa.

Narellan Vale nurse Tara Norton, who recently volunteered on with global charity Mercy Ships, carrying orthopaedic patient Aicha up the gangway. Picture: Lara Arkinstall

Mercy Ships is a charity which provides free, world-class health care to developing nations through their ‘floating hospitals’ and countless volunteers.

Ms Norton, a nurse with 26 years experience and member of the NSW Police Force, said the adventure was life-changing.

A photo from Narellan Vale nurse Tara Norton, who recently volunteered on with global charity Mercy Ships. Picture: Lara Arkinstall

“It was a humbling experience,” the 47-year-old said.

“It definitely brings home just how lucky we are to live in a country where we have free access to healthcare and welfare, fresh water and good living conditions.

“The people I visited had nothing even remotely close to it.”

Narellan Vale nurse Tara Norton (centre), who recently volunteered on with global charity Mercy Ships. Picture: Gedeon Lamah

Ms Norton spent five weeks as an admissions nurse on the Africa Mercy ship, anchored off the coast of West African nation Guinea and home to some of the world’s poorest people.

Guinea residents have a life expectancy of either 59 years (male) and 60 years (female), according to the World Health Organisation.

Miss Norton said the bonds and memories she developed with local children and patients would last a lifetime.

Narellan Vale nurse Tara Norton, who recently volunteered on with global charity Mercy Ships. Picture: Gedeon Lamah

“It was incredible to see the transformation of the patients from before the surgery to after,” she said.

“A number of the patients had quite large, very significant facial tumours which were disfiguring and quite confronting.

“To see them leave the boat post surgery with confidence and an air of happiness about them that they didn’t have before was special.”

Miss Norton said she plans to again volunteer for Mercy Ships at the end of the year, when the “floating hospital” is anchored off the coast of Senegal.