A container was transformed into a mobile movie theatre to highlight the life-changing work a New Zealand based charity is doing for families in Africa.
Royal Wolf’s Hamilton branch supplied a 20-foot container to Mercy Ships for its activation at Festival One, an annual Waikato music festival. Mercy Ships provide free surgeries and humanitarian care to people in Africa who do not have access to health care services.
Fiona Hunt-Baker, Mercy Ships Lead Recruiter, says the container activation created an immersive story telling experience that showed festival attendees the impact the organisation’s work is having in Africa.
“Seeing the incredible impact through the eyes of our patients creates an unforgettable connection,” says Hunt-Baker.
“We can talk to people about our work but seeing patient stories inside the container helped to make a true emotional impact,” she says.
With more than 100 performances across five stages, the container provided a quiet space for concert goers to take time out to reflect and witness the transformations that are made possible through surgery.
The Mercy Ships film showcases the work it does, ranging from cleft lip repairs to tumour removals, with a focus on providing a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those in need of medical care.
As a charity, Mercy Ships relies on generous volunteers to carry out its work and donors to fund its life-changing surgeries.
Hunt-Baker says the container activation helped spark conversation, raise awareness of the cause, and encourage festival-goers to stay connected with Mercy Ships.
“Showing our film in the container helped people engage with the purpose of Mercy Ships. It was a huge success,” she says.
Community connection
Royal Wolf, a United Rentals company, supplies containers to a wide range of community and not-for-profit groups, including a fish filleting station for the Kai Ika Project and storage solutions to Riding for the Disabled.
Graham Allison, District Manager – New Zealand, says supporting organisations like Mercy Ships is a key way Royal Wolf gives back to the communities it operates in around New Zealand and Australia.
“The team feel very proud to get in behind initiatives that help people in need and to support groups to ensure they can continue the important work they do in their communities.”
