USNS Comfort crew lift spirits at CP-15 COMREL

BELMOPAN, BELIZE

04.13.2015

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kameron Hodnett
CP-15 Public Affairs

BELMOPAN, Belize (NNS) -- Seventeen service members from the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) participated in a community relations event at King's Children Home (KCH) in Belmopan, Belize, April 10 in support of Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15).

Continuing Promise is a collaborative effort between the United States, partner nations and non-governmental and support organizations to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian and civic assistance, as well as veterinary, medical, dental and civil engineering support to send a strong message of compassion, support and commitment to Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

KCH, one of the very few orphanages in Belize, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to helping and providing care for children in difficult circumstances. The Christian-based orphanage, founded 1985, has expanded over the years, opening its doors to hundreds of children.

"We are here today to do some paint restoration in the cafeteria, which is really the big project at hand," said COMREL coordinator Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Jonathan Coreson, a native of Soldonta, Alaska. "I think service members getting in uniform and coming out to help with projects is a great opportunity to work alongside our Belize partners."

For some volunteers, it was the first time they had ever participated in a Navy COMREL event.

Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Chantel Woods, a native of Los Angeles, California, said when the opportunity presented itself, she jumped at the chance to do something new and rewarding.

"My favorite part was when the staff brought out the babies," said Woods. "I love children, and just being able to make a difference for them is amazing, I know that this means a lot for these kids, just seeing the smile on their faces and letting them see new visitors was the best experience."

After finishing work in the cafeteria, the volunteers played sports with the children while musicians from the U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band, Encharted Waters, arrived to play a brief concert.

As the band played, the children danced along to the music and were greeted by special visitors Darrell Bradley, mayor of Belize City, Lt. Gen Kenneth Tovo, deputy commander, U.S. Southern Command, Capt. Sam Hancock, CP-15 mission commander, and Capt. Christine Sears, USNS Comfort's Military Treatment Facility commanding officer.

The distinguished guests toured the orphanage and talked with the children while the band performed.

KCH resident Joshua Reyes spent several minutes talking to Hancock.

Joshua said he learned a great deal about being a captain in the U.S. Navy and about the United States.

"We thank you guys for coming out here because you guys are wonderful and thank you for everything that you have done for us," said Joshua. "Every year, people come and do some nice work; thank God for them. When they go back home, we wish them good luck."

The COMREL volunteers also delivered 80 stuffed animals, 10 soccer balls, 80 school supply packs and 80 coloring books to the 80 children who currently reside in the home, ranging in age from newborn to 20.

After everything was finished for the day, the service members said their goodbyes to the children and staff to prepare for the remainder of the mission stop in Belize.

Continuing Promise 2015 is a U.S. Southern Command-sponsored and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet-conducted deployment to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian-civil assistance, subject matter expert exchanges, medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support and disaster response to partner nations and to show U.S. support and commitment to Central and South America and the Caribbean.

For more news from Continuing Promise, visit www.navy.mil/local/cp/.

• Date Taken: 04.13.2015
• Date Posted: 04.15.2015 11:51
• Story ID: 160039
• Location: BELMOPAN, BZ