USS Farragut Makes Difference In Curacao

During the COMREL, 20 volunteers spent the day interacting with children through a soccer game, painting the school walls, and providing some landscaping at "Skol Dr. Nelly Winkel" School.

The Principle of Skol Dr. Nelly Winkel, Soraida Mardenborough said that she was amazed with the outcome of the project.

"We are very happy that you guys came out here to help us," said Mardenborough. "Our school really needs a lot of repairs, and we didn't expect [the Sailors] to pull the weeds and cut the grass. I was shocked and amazed by the extra things [the Sailors] were doing for the school and we are all pleased with the outcome."

The COMREL didn't end with the volunteers refurbishing and landscaping; Farragut also joined efforts with Project Handclasp (PH) to provide toys and hygiene products for the Siloam Foundation of Brother Herman Gijsbers Orphanage children.

PH is an official U.S. Navy program that coordinates transportation and delivery of humanitarian, educational and goodwill materials on naval vessels and distribution by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel on behalf of American citizens to people in need.

"I enjoyed participating in PH simply because seeing what brother Herman and his wife was doing for these terminally ill children was inspiring and knowing that I could be of assistance was gratifying," said Culinary Specialist Chief (SW) Wendell Heyward. "This one project a lone has inspired me to help out more people in need when I can."

Farragut donated two pallets of supplies on Sept. 1, to Siloam Foundation of Brother Herman Gijsbers Orphanage. The two pallets included hygiene items and toys for the children. The toys pallet included skateboards, roller blades, helmets and more. The hygiene pallet included items suh as mouth wash, bath soap, and baby bath wash.

"COMRELs and PHs are a way to reach out to different nations to show that we do care and we are willing to lend that helping hand in their time of need," said COMDESRON 40 Chaplain Andre Trofort.

"Participating in events like this always boosts my moral knowing that by just providing a little bit of my time and elbow grease I can make a difference in the lives of many," said Aerographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Steven Bell.

The COMREL and PH were held in support of Partnership of the Americas 2008 (POA 08) throughout South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Farragut supports U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security, which highlights interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nation's maritime forces through a variety of exercises and events.