(Editor’s note: Below is a piece written for The Philippine STAR by Fil-Belgian Deborah Beliën, who works with Mercy Ships, which uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world.)
TAMATAVE, Madagascar – Whenever people ask me where I am from, I answer “Belgium”. They can’t quite comprehend that because I have the typical eyes of a Filipina. So I explain to them that my father is Belgian and my mom is Filipina. I am a “mix”, a “half-half”, a Eurasian.
And I am proud of it.
Both my Asian and my European roots have influenced who I am and what I do today. I am Deborah Beliën, 26 years old, currently living and working on a hospital ship, the Africa Mercy M/V, in Tamatave, Madagascar.
After having graduated as a Master of Science in Psychology, I traveled the world, studying languages and volunteering for various non-government organizations. While in Cape Town, I first heard of Mercy Ships, an international organization with the mission to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor (check out www.mercyships.org). Having saved enough money to volunteer for them, I left for Madagascar in January 2015 for a six-month long adventure as media liaison officer for their communications department. I would be responsible for accommodating the international media teams who wanted to cover the story of Mercy Ships.
When I landed in the capitol, Antananarivo, it reminded me of the bustling city of Manila. My Asian roots helped me feel at home right away. It was a very odd feeling to experience this sensation so far away from both my home countries. I could immediately relate to the Malagasy culture and people – it is heavily influenced by Southeast Asia.
I started working on a ship together with 400 crew from over 35 nations. I lived in an eight-berth cabin, in a bunk bed and with two shared bathrooms. Here, I had to adapt not only to the local culture but also to community life on board, which I must admit was far from the usual comforts of home. Slowly but steadily, though, I felt more and more at ease with this unique lifestyle and job experience, and I found my place.
I may not be a nurse or a surgeon, whom I look up to as heroes, but I do my job and, as such, contribute to the possibility of this NGO providing free surgeries on board this ship for patients from all over Madagascar. Who can say they directly see the link between what they do and what it leads to? It is such a blessing.
So when I was asked to extend for another year, I only had to convince my parents that this would be a great opportunity.
Last July, after a seven-week break at home, I came back to the ship, this time as executive assistant to the managing director and as protocol officer. As protocol officer I am responsible for organizing events for business partners or government officials (e.g. the US Ambassador). Although this job is a chance for me to develop and refine my skill set and to network, it is not the main reason why I love what I do.
When people ask me why I volunteer for Mercy Ships, the answer is simple: I want to help change the world by loving and caring for people all over the world.
Growing up, my parents continually instilled in me the importance of the Christian value of loving your neighbors as thyself – of taking care of other people no matter their background. In the Filipino culture, this value is also very tangible: I see it every day in the way my mom – even if she is miles away – still helps out her family and friends abroad. So why would I not follow in their footsteps?
I have been so blessed growing up in the Western world, with all the amenities that go with it, but I believe that children all over the world should get the same opportunities. I believe that if every human being can contribute just a little bit, it can create a wave of world change.