Marines forging friendships in Africa 

U.S. Marines attached to USS Nashville (LPD 13) are lending a helping hand to local communities through a series of humanitarian donations and work projects during their current Africa Partnership Station (APS) mission.

Thus far, the U.S. service members have delivered humanitarian goods as part of the U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp program to several local schools, clinics and children’s shelters in seven countries. Additionally, the Marines are helping out with various construction and painting projects coordinated by U.S. Navy Seabees also deployed on Nashville.

“We are making life better for the students and the teachers in these classrooms,” said Chief Fire Controlman Paul D. Reed, Seabee detachment officer-in-charge. “I think that the community relations mission itself, helping the communities, fits into the APS role very well because we are actually changing the lives of people here in Nigeria, Cameroon and the other countries we’re visiting.”

While in Cameroon earlier this month, Marines provided the donated items to the Provincial Hospital Limbe, Open Door Medical Development, Save the Children Orphanage and the Bilingual preschool and primary School of the Defense. They also assisted in the refurbishment of classrooms and office spaces at a local primary school and construction of a climbing structure for the highly-endangered drills (primates) at the Limbe Wildlife Center. Before that port visit, the group conducted similar activities in Lagos, Nigeria, at the Obisesan Naval Medical Center and Western Naval Command Primary School.

 “(APS Nashville) is interacting with the children and civilians,” said Ngale Nalova Josephine, director and founder of the Save the Children Alliance Orphanage. “These donations show that you are for peace and not for war. You have come with all your heart for charity. It’s amazing to see uniformed people like you doing what you are doing.”

It marked the first time Project Handclasp had delivered goods to the medical community in Cameroon. “It is a surprise … the U.S. Navy told me that they were interested in assisting the medical team of this hospital and that they had medical staff on board,” said Dr. Kinge Thompson, director, Regional Hospital Limbe.  “I expected something, but what I’m seeing today is lots and lots of boxes of medicine, which will alleviate the cost for the people coming here.”
 
The major intent of APS Nashville is to enhance maritime safety and stability in west and central Africa. However, humanitarian assistance projects are pertinent to the mission and making a difference in the community.

“Seeing all the kids running around and being happy and seeing their reactions to us was a very rewarding part of the day,” said Cpl. Benhanan Ways. “Hopefully it gives them a positive impression that stays with them as they grow older and that they remember their interactions with Americans were a positive thing, helping them in their community and giving them a better place to learn.”

To learn more about Africa Partnership Station and its mission, visit the APS website at www.c6f.navy.mil/apshome.html.