Help Me Bring Hope to Togo ❤️🌍
Goal: $10,000
In 2027, I have the incredible opportunity to serve with Mercy Ships in Togo—not once, but twice.
These two trips will be very different, but together they will be part of one special journey: helping launch a new HOPE Center and then returning to serve there during the summer.
For me, the only way I can make these opportunities possible is by raising financial support to help cover the costs of being away from work and the expenses that aren’t covered by Mercy Ships. That’s why I’m reaching out to family, friends, and my community to invite you to be part of this journey.
🌱 Spring 2027 — Launching a New HOPE Center
For my first trip, I’ve been invited to join the startup team arriving in Togo ahead of the ship.
I’ll be part of the team helping establish the new HOPE Center, train local day crew, and prepare the center to begin serving patients and caregivers. I’ll stay for approximately 6–7 weeks, through the opening of the center and the beginning of surgeries.
This will be a completely new experience for me, and I’m especially excited to help build something that will continue serving patients throughout the surgical season.
Because I work in a school, this spring trip also means taking significant unpaid time away from my regular job.
☀️ Summer 2027 — Returning to Serve
After returning home, I’ll go back to Togo during the summer for another 6–7 weeks to work in the HOPE Center during the surgical season.
I’ll have the unique opportunity to return to a center that I helped establish and serve alongside the local team as they support patients and caregivers.
❤️ Why I’m going back
I’ve served with Mercy Ships before, including at the HOPE Center. I’ve supported patients and caregivers, helped coordinate care and appointments, and worked alongside local day crew.
Those experiences changed me.
This time, I’ll have the opportunity to be there from the very beginning—helping build the center and then returning to serve in it.
💙 Why I’m fundraising
Mercy Ships generously covers my flights, accommodations, and most meals, for which I am incredibly grateful.
Even with those costs covered, I cannot financially take this much time away from work without support. Fundraising is what will make it possible for me to say yes to these opportunities.
I’m raising $10,000 to help cover:
- Lost income from my spring deployment
- Travel insurance
- Vaccinations and other pre-trip expenses
- Transportation and personal expenses in Togo
- Other uncovered travel-related expenses
The biggest part of my goal is helping bridge the income gap from being away from my school-year job during the spring.
🙏 Will you be part of the journey?
I don’t expect any one person to make this possible. Every gift—whether $25, $50, $100, or whatever you’re comfortable giving—helps make these opportunities possible.
If you’re not able to give, sharing this fundraiser, praying for the patients and teams, or simply following along means just as much to me.
I’ll be sharing updates throughout the journey, from preparing for the startup team to opening the HOPE Center and returning in the summer.
Thank you for helping make it possible for me to say yes to this opportunity to serve in Togo. ❤️
Prefer cash or check?
I’m also accepting cash or checks. Please message me directly if you’d prefer to contribute that way.
Thank you for being part of this journey! 🌍❤️
— Cathy
