In a world where access to healthcare remains profoundly unequal, Mercy Ships stands as a rare and powerful example of compassion in action. Its Monaco based brand ambassador, Roland Brautigam works tirelessly to increase the Philanthropic Standards in the Principality of Monaco and to support Mercy Ships at the highest level.
Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships was built on a simple yet transformative idea: to bring healthcare directly to those who need it most.
More than a humanitarian initiative, Mercy Ships is a mission, one that transcends borders, cultures, and expectations. Operating the largest civilian hospital ships in the world, the organisation brings free, life-changing surgical care to some of the most underserved regions, delivering not only surgery, but dignity, hope, and long-term impact.
Its hospital ships, most notably the Africa Mercy®️ and the Global Mercy™, are equipped with state-of-the-art operating theatres, recovery wards, laboratories, and training facilities. But what truly defines them is not the technology, it is the purpose behind it.
Each year, these ships dock in countries where access to safe surgery is limited or non-existent. There, a global community of volunteer professionals, surgeons, nurses, anesthesiologists, engineers, and support crew come together to provide care, free of charge.
Looking back at your journey with Mercy Ships, how would you describe your personal evolution from supporter to becoming the official Ambassador in Monaco?
“It’s a beautiful journey - both for Mercy Ships and for me personally. Almost four years ago, when we started with our first cocktail event during the Yacht Show, followed by a reception with key leaders at the Yacht Club, we could never have imagined the way we would grow Mercy Ships within the Monaco community, raising awareness and funds as we have done so far. This has definitely been a journey of growth; both personally and for the charity itself.”
The title of Ambassador carries real weight. What does it concretely mean for you day to day?
“The title gives me responsibility, and it provides me with motivation to be part of a team - a worldwide, global team - that does nothing but try to make this world a better place for everybody. Particularly for people who have very little access to the healthcare they need.
And yes, when I’m out socialising, it’s very often that I’m approached by people because of this role. And I approach people who I believe can help us to further grow the charity within the Principality.”
Changing Lives
While surgical intervention is at the heart of Mercy Ships’ work, its mission goes far beyond individual procedures. Patients treated onboard often suffer from conditions that have gone untreated for years; tumours, cleft lips, severe burns, orthopaedic deformities. For many, access to care is not just difficult, it is impossible.
The impact of a single surgery is therefore profound. It is not only about restoring health, but about restoring identity, confidence, and the possibility of a future.
At the same time, Mercy Ships invests heavily in training local healthcare professionals, strengthening medical systems from within. By sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise, the organisation ensures that its impact continues long after the ship leaves port.
Mercy Ships has now performed over 128,000 surgical procedures and trained more than 56,000 healthcare professionals. When you share these numbers with people here in Monaco, what tends to surprise them most?
“I suppose there are still many people who don’t know that Mercy Ships exists and how noble their cause is.
When we explain what we do - that we save lives, we transform lives, we train medical practitioners in Africa, and we provide logistic and infrastructure support, modernising medical facilities and hospitals so they are better equipped to respond to the medical need of their population. What surprises people most is that they haven’t heard of us yet. That is my experience. And when they hear what we do, they are surprised by how beautiful and noble this charity really is. It’s a very beautiful project.”
Have you ever been able to visit the Global Mercy or the Africa Mercy in person?
“Unfortunately, due to running a couple of companies, I have not yet been able to visit one of the ships. But it is definitely something that will happen in the future.”
Is there one patient story, one face, that stays with you above all others - something that comes to mind every time you sit down to plan the next event?
“Yes. The story of nine-year old Fifalina touches me deeply. Through the gift of a life-changing surgery for her bowed legs, she is one of thousands of examples of children who are basically handed back a new chance at life.”
Roland reaches for his phone and pulls up the video.
“During last year’s E-Prix, I made a number of presentations, and also during both our galas. Out of 100 people, when I showed this story, 20 were moved to tears.”
He turns the screen towards me (Editor). A young girl. Before. After. A transformation that words cannot fully carry.
I try to hold it together. I don’t entirely manage. Roland smiles gently.
“Your reaction is completely normal. I’ve had grown men standing in front of me and crying. I sometimes cannot even watch it myself,” - Roland pauses. - “But this is only one girl. When the ships arrive in port, there are hundreds of children waiting to be given back their futures. In 2026, we are still necessary.”
The silence that follows says more than any statistic could.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Mercy Ships is its global volunteer network.
The crew members onboard, medical and non-medical alike offer their time and expertise voluntarily. They come from over 70 nations, united by a shared commitment to service. This creates a unique environment where cultures intersect, skills converge, and purpose becomes the common language.
In many ways, the ships themselves become microcosms of what the world could be: collaborative, compassionate, and driven by something greater than individual gain.
Roland Brautigam
Social Impact in Monaco
In Monaco, a place often associated with luxury and excellence, Mercy Ships represents a different kind of value, one rooted in purpose and impact.
The Principality has long been a supporter of humanitarian initiatives, and Mercy Ships has found a meaningful connection here through events, partnerships, and awareness campaigns. These gatherings bring together individuals who understand that true influence is not only measured by success, but by contribution.
They also serve as a reminder that even in the most privileged environments, there is a responsibility to look outward.
In 2023, Mercy Ships and Roland began planning a Charity Gala to raise awareness and funds about and for Mercy Ships in Monaco. The Principality, with its substantial yachting community and numerous philanthropists and philanthropic organisations, seemed like the perfect next step for Roland.
The first Monaco gala event was held on June 15, 2024, with guests flying in from various countries, including over 50 additional guests from Switzerland, Italy, and France who came solely to participate. The first gala marked a remarkable success, raising €400,000 in support of Mercy Ships.
Of course, not everyone knows about the accomplishments of Mercy Ships, which has been providing hope and healing around the world. Therefore, during the event, short video clips were played on a large screen to help the guests understand what the charity was about. Among others, Nelson Mandela was displayed promoting Mercy Ships.
Building on this momentum, the second gala elevated both scale and ambition. Featuring curated silent and live auctions, the event generated donations exceeding €700,000, further strengthening Mercy Ships’ ability to deliver life-changing surgical care where people need it most.
What was the single biggest lesson you took into planning the second edition?
“The biggest lesson we learned was that when we talk about doing something meaningful within the Principality, and reach people who have a philanthropic feeling themselves, we can truly raise awareness and funds for Mercy Ships. That was the biggest lesson and it gives us tremendous motivation to do even better each following year.”
The second gala moved to the Salle Empire at Hôtel de Paris. How did that step up change the atmosphere and expectations?
“It was a natural evolution. After the first gala, we knew there was a very strong foundation to continue our efforts in Monaco. Talking to SBM and growing the charity’s presence here, it was logical to go to the next step, not so much in terms of numbers, but we also raised the ticket price from €500 to €1,000, and we were still able to sell out the room, just as we had the first year.”
Selling out the tables was not easy at the beginning. Is it easier now, or does each edition still require the same level of commitment?
“No, it’s still difficult. It’s still a challenge - and always will be, competing against so many events in Monaco. But that’s why we have a concept. We are not just a gala like most galas, where you arrive, have drinks, have dinner, have an auction, and go home.
We have a particular concept where our guests are always entertained. We touch both emotions during our events - people get entertained, and people get touched. That, I suppose, is what makes our gala different. And we are building a reputation for it.
The commitment from our team is the same as it was from the very beginning, we work on it every day to make it an amazing event.”
Each gala has its own identity. What is the spirit behind this third edition - and how are you planning to surprise guests who have attended before?
“Every gala is of course different, but the concept remains the same - we always have surprises happening during the event, and from the moment guests arrive to the moment they leave, they are entertained.
This year, for example, we are in a long venue which gives everybody a proper view of the podium. That is something I found lacking at other galas: you can end up sitting with your back to the stage. We are doing that differently this year. And because the theme is football, it will be a very dynamic evening. People will never be bored. The party starts the moment you arrive.
When I first decided to organise a gala, I had never done anything like it, I hadn’t even organised my own birthday party, as a matter of speaking. So I visited many events, and I noticed that most galas were very similar: you arrive, wait an hour and a half to sit down, then you have the same rhythm - an auction that goes on too long, a 20-minute speech that people switch off from after five minutes.
I really tried to organise something where you are never left too long without being entertained, and where the auction is compact but raises the maximum for the charity.”
This year, Mercy Ships has been chosen as beneficiary of the Barbagiuans’ Pilot Cup match, with Louis Ducruet involved. How did that come about?
“The gala itself is not supported by the Barbagiuans - but what happened is that when I did the presentation at last year’s gala, Louis Ducruet was in the room together with Rama Goren, the president of the Barbagiuans. They were touched by our story. And they told us that for 2026, they wanted Mercy Ships to become one of the beneficiaries of the Pilot Cup. We were of course delighted, not only for the funds generated, but for the tremendous reach this match has, with over 100 million followers worldwide across social media. And locally, it is a huge event. For Mercy Ships to be named as beneficiary was a confirmation of the importance of bringing Mercy Ships into the heart of this Principality.”
Across three editions, what are the absolute non-negotiables - the things you will never compromise on regardless of how the event evolves?
“Our message must always be one of positivity. It is such a serious subject, and we want to show positivity, to show the good that is being done by the people who live and work on a ship in the poorest countries on earth. Positivity, optimism. Negativity and bad energy, we try to stay away from those entirely.”
Monaco has an extraordinary concentration of wealth and philanthropic activity. How do you honestly assess the Principality on that front?
“I think Monaco is among the most philanthropic countries in the world. The people who live here and visit our events are very generous - as witnessed by the results of our gala alone. Having said that, as an NGO funded through donations, it is an extremely competitive environment.
There are many galas, and almost each one is linked to some charity. There is - I don’t know if it’s the right word; almost an overkill, or let’s call it a very strong competition between charities. And so it is important to recognise that, despite this, there is still so much generosity here.
In fact, according to the OECD’s 2025 donor profile, Monaco ranked among the world’s top donors as development aid increased. Monaco is genuinely the philanthropic capital.”
As global challenges continue to evolve, the role of organisations like Mercy Ships becomes even more essential. Their work demonstrates that meaningful change is not always driven by scale, but by intention. That one surgery can transform a life. That one act of care can ripple across communities.
Beyond the gala, how does Mercy Ships’ presence grow within the wider Monaco community?
“We have been chosen by the Propeller Club of Monaco as the beneficiary of their 50th anniversary gala. For us, as part of the shipping community, this is tremendously meaningful - not only for the funds raised, but for the awareness it generates throughout shipping companies and the maritime community in Monaco and beyond.
I have been informally told that for next year’s Ambassador Club gala, Mercy Ships will be one of the beneficiaries. To be asked by the Barbagiuans, the Propeller Club, the Ambassador Club to be chosen as the beneficiary of their events, we accept with great humility. It is a tremendous motivation to continue our mission and to help bring hope and healing to the Fifalinas of this world.”
Finally - if you imagine the Mercy Ships Monaco Gala ten years from now, what does it look like?
“The dream is to one day book the Salle des Étoiles and fill it completely - 600 to 800 people. Being able to do that with a truly beautiful programme would mean we have achieved the maximum that we can achieve in Monaco. And as for this year’s gala - I expect it to be the most amazing one yet.
The venue, the Hall of Champions at Port Hercule, is spectacular - we are on the water, just like Mercy Ships itself. We will dress it like a beautiful ballroom.
The programme, the guests, the after-party, it will be a night of fun, emotion, and community. I expect it to be the topic of conversation for a long time.”
At its core, Mercy Ships is about more than medicine. It is about restoring balance in a world where opportunity is unevenly distributed. It is about recognising that access to healthcare should not be determined by geography or circumstance. And above all, it is about humanity expressed through action.
Truly, long-term Monaco resident Roland Brautigam brought something special to the Principality of Monaco, a meaningful, emotional, and transformational annual event honouring the tremendous efforts of Mercy Ships.
In a world often defined by complexity, Mercy Ships offers something profoundly simple:
Hope, delivered, quite literally, across the ocean.