Marines partner with Liberian soldiers to deliver school supplies

Story Date
3/3/2009 By
Byline
Sgt. Elsa Portillo ,
Unit
Marine Forces Africa

Dateline

MONROVIA, Liberia
Page Content

Devil dogs with Marine Advisor Team and the Liberian Security Sector Reform lent a helping hand to soldiers with the Armed Forces of Liberia Feb. 17 to deliver school supplies to the United Methodist School System in Monrovia, Liberia.

The donation consisted of approximately 165 desks and 319 boxes containing school bags and school kits. The United Methodist School System received these items as a donation from a stateside organization and had it delivered through the U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp program.

This program, created in 1962, allows the U.S. Navy to collect donations from the private sector, transport them in their empty cargo space, and distribute them at ports of call. Project Handclasp gives a mode of transport and also gives U.S. Sailors and Marines the ability to foster positive relationships with citizens all around the world.

“It’s really, really exciting to see our new military coming to help and working with U.S. Marines as partners,” said Dr. Anthony Dioh, director, United Methodist School System. “It is so exciting and it is helpful. It gives us hope that we have a new military that will not only protect the people but also serve the people, so I’m really delighted to know that this is possible.”

This is the first time the United Methodist School System has used Project Handclasp, and it has been a success on various fronts. It has helped alleviate the cost of transportation for the Liberian facilitator and also given the U.S. Marines and AFL soldiers a chance to interact and make a difference in the community.

“I think it’s a really good idea to combine humanitarian aid and the U.S. military,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Sean Castaneda, advisor, MAT and Cheyenne, Wy., native. “It gives everyone a chance to help and makes everyone feel good about being able to do something to help another person.”

All parties enjoyed the interaction and said they hope this was not a one-time event. Liberia is recovering from civil war, and donations via Project Handclasp play a part in this process.

“This is the first time we have had help from the Navy,” said Dioh. “I’m praying that this will continue. … We just want to say thank you and that this new AFL has given us hope that there is a better future for our children, a better future for our nation.”

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

MONROVIA, Liberia-Privates Julius Sanmah, Mark Wahn, Momo Kaifak and Swaray Kafumba, soldiers with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and U.S. Marine Cpls. Michael Tormos and Sean Castaneda, advisors with Marine Advisor Team, Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville, unnload boxes of school supplies for the United Methodist School System. Approximately, 165 desks and 319 boxes containing school bags and school kits were delivered. This donation will reach roughly, 1,000 - 2,000 school children in need. The U.S. Navy's program Project Handclasp made the delivery possible. The program allows the U.S. Navy to utilize their empty cargo space to transport donated goods and deliver them to countries in need that are on the ship's port calls along the way. APS is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa Which aims to work cooperatively with U. S. and international partners to improve maritime safety and security on the African continent. Nashville is focused on supporting the APS strategy in West and Central Africa. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Elsa Portillo/Released), Sgt. Elsa Portillo, 2/23/2009 11:00 PM
MONROVIA, Liberia-Soldiers with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and U.S. Marines with Marine Advisor Team (MAT), Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville and Liberian Security Sector Reform (SSR) work together to deliver school supplies to the United Methodist School System. Approximately, 165 desks and 319 boxes containing school bags and school kits were delivered. This donation will reach roughly, 1,000 - 2,000 school children in need. The U.S. Navy's program Project Handclasp made the delivery possible. The program allows the U.S. Navy to utilize their empty cargo space to transport donated goods and deliver them to countries in need that are on the ship's port calls along the way. APS is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa Which aims to work cooperatively with U. S. and international partners to improve maritime safety and security on the African continent. Nashville is focused on supporting the APS strategy in West and Central Africa. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Elsa Portillo/Released), Sgt. Elsa Portillo, 2/23/2009 11:09 PM
MONROVIA, Liberia -Private Stephen Augusin and other Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) soldiers unload donated school desks brought to the regions via Project Handclasp. The program allows the U.S. Navy to utilize their empty cargo space to transport donated goods and deliver them to countries in need that are on the ship's port calls along the way. The AFL soldiers and U.S. Marines with Marine Advisor Team (MAT), Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville and Liberian Security Sector Reform (SSR) delivered roughly 165 desks and 319 boxes containing school bags and school kits. APS is an international initiative developed by Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa Which aims to work cooperatively with U. S. and international partners to improve maritime safety and security on the African continent. Nashville is focused on supporting the APS strategy in West and Central Africa. (U.S. Marine photo by Sgt. Elsa Portillo/Released), Sgt. Elsa Portillo, 2/23/2009 11:07 PM