Elizabeth has hundreds of stories to tell. In less than an hour’s time, she will only be able to share with us a few of her many memories. They are stories of women, and of children, some of whom she delivered herself. Elizabeth is a midwife and 69 years old. At that age, many would choose rest and tranquility – but Elizabeth chose the opposite. For the past ten years, she dedicated her time to work for Doctors without Borders, Médecins sans frontières (MSF). “To help giving birth to a child, even on board the Aquarius, is always the most wonderful experience”, she says. The US-American spends several months a year away from her home in Massachusetts. "I have four children, one daughter and three sons. They are all grown-up”, she tells us. That’s why being away from home on the other side of the Atlantic is not as difficult for her. And her children are not worried: “They know that I am in good hands with MSF and that I would never do anything to put myself in danger.” Elizabeth has, however, experienced some difficult times with MSF before joining the migrant rescue mission on the Mediterrenean. She spent time in Central African Republic, South Sudan, Nigeria, Zambia, or Burundi. When asked about her age and a possible fatigue, she laughs. “I am going to be 70 years old, and I am trying to come to terms with that. But I do not want to stop what I am doing at all. To be on a mission is a rejuvenating experience!” „Imagine crossing the sea pregnant, without your husband, and without knowing how to swim!“ In March, Elizabeth helped give birth to a Nigerian woman who had been rescued at sea. “She was nine months pregnant when we recovered her and she was completely exhausted.” On board the ship, medical equipment is reduced to the minimum necessary. “We have the supplies to take care of the mother, to listen to the baby’s heartbeat”, she explains. But it is impossible to relieve pain by performing an epidural, for example. “She had contractions, but very slow ones, and not regular enough. It was only upon returning to the port that she went into labor”, Elizabeth tells us. “Everyone was holding their breath, everyone wanted to help. When I told her that an ambulance was waiting at the port, she started pushing. She was lying on the floor, I think she did not want to give birth anywhere, she was so tired.” The baby was born without any complications. “He shouted right away, it was wonderful. I picked up the radio transmitter to make everyone else hear his cries.” Mercy was born on March 22, 2017. It is the only birth in which Elizabeth participated on board the Aquarius. She hopes for others, with an equally happy outcome of course. In the meantime, she feels “privileged” to meet so many strong women on board the ship. “This Nigerian woman was one of the most courageous people I have met. Imagine crossing the sea pregnant, without your husband, and without knowing how to swim!“ Her husband had been put on another boat by the smugglers organizing their crossings. “Can you imagine the courage that it takes?” It is for all this that Elizabeth keeps going. “These women are exceptional, and meeting them is a true privilege. How can anyone think differently?” Translation from French by: Charlotte Hauswedell