In the autumn of 2009 one of our clinic staff, Mel, took some time out of her regular work and travelled to the African state of Benin. Here she joined with Mercy Ships to work as a ward and recovery nurse. Mercy Ships specialises in providing healthcare to some of the most impoverished countries. Mel was involved in looking after patients who had undergone major operations correcting facial deformaties and tumours, problems rarely seen in the UK. Well done Mel – a tough assignment but well worth the effort.