Last week, the Academy hosted Lydia Zuidema, Director of Academic Advancement, Network of International Christian Schools, and Chair of our ACSI | Middle States Systems Accreditation Team. Lydia was onboard the Africa Mercy to confirm our readiness for the team systems accreditation visit in April. The Academy has been working towards this goal for the last three years. A systems accreditation as an international Christian school will align both Academies as one system and ensure accountability and credibility for current and future schools in the Mercy Ships Academy School System. This will provide assurance and confidence for all families and teachers serving with Mercy Ships and ensure a smooth transfer between education systems. Lydia was blessed by her time on board, and these are the words she shared on social media. Be encouraged!
“I just spent four amazing days aboard the Africa Mercy, working with school superintendent Nikki Aldum and her team of educators at the Mercy Ships Academy (MSA) to prepare for a re-accreditation visit next month. The MSA is a school system located on two campuses: the Africa Mercy, currently docked in Madagascar, and the Global Mercy, currently docked in Sierra Leone. The vital importance of the academy to the mission of Mercy Ships was summed up beautifully to me today by a senior Mercy Ships administration leader: “I can serve Mercy Ships because the academy is here for our children.”
Mercy Ships Academy exists to provide high-quality, accredited education to the children of Mercy Ships volunteers and crew members while they are serving aboard the organization’s ships. The academy ensures that children have access to a consistent and supportive learning environment, allowing their parents to focus on their mission of delivering vital surgeries, medical treatments, and training to local healthcare professionals, with the goal of improving health systems and bringing hope to communities in need.
Besides working with the academy, I was given a tour of the surgery facilities, spent lots of time with volunteer crew members from around the world, did a little shopping in town, visited a fistula hospital near the Hope House, and enjoyed lunch with crew members along a beautiful stretch of Indian Ocean beach. I am blessed and grateful for these experiences, and even more, I’m filled with praise to the Lord for the Mercy Ships and all they do to help people in Jesus’ name.”
Lydia Zuidema, Director of Academic Advancement, Network of International Christian Schools.
I am very grateful and excited to share that we are one step closer, and it was confirmed that we are ready to host the team of Head of Schools next month for our full Systems Accreditation Visit. The visit will take place onboard both the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy during the week of 06 – 11 April 2025. In the coming weeks will put the final touches to our year-long self-study report and submit the collection of evidence that will support the fact that we have met the standards and indicators of the ACSI INSPIRE Accreditation Protocol. As well as preparing the details to host the team.
Thank you to the Academy Teams on the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy, and Academy Support Team who have been working towards this goal for our families!
Nikki Aldum, Academy Superintendent
