Nashville Sailors team with Senegalese Soldiers to make a difference

02.05.2009

Story by Seaman Matthew Bookwalter 

U.S. Navy           

By Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Bookwalter
Africa Partnership Station Nashville

DAKAR, Senegal – USS Nashville Sailors paired up with several Senegalese soldiers to begin refurbishing the Centoe Mecico Social medical clinic in Dakar, Senegal, during a community relations project on Feb 5.

Ten Nashville Sailors took part in the project, an opportunity provided by the ship's participation in Africa Partnership Station Nashville.

The group arrived at the clinic mid-morning and immediately began prepping the walls for paint by scraping away and smoothing over old cracked paint, with the Senegalese Soldiers working with them the whole time.

"There is something universal about hard work," said Nashville Chaplain Lt. Darin Dunham. "Talking wasn't really necessary today. Just like our guys, the Senegalese saw the paint and jumped right in. As the day progressed you could see the two separate groups mingle more and more."

Repainting the clinic's walls is not the only job that will be done during the project, which will last throughout Nashville's visit in Dakar. Old broken doors are to be replaced, and some Sailors will assist with simple plumbing and mortar work before the end of the project.

"Working hand-in-hand with each other is good," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Santos Oyoque. "Even though there was a language barrier, we were still able to accomplish the job we were tasked with."

By the end of the endeavor, Dunham believes you will see a change in more than just the building.

"These COMRELSs are good because help is given to people who need it," said Dunham. "However, it's also a reciprocal process; my Sailors will walk away as different people."

Those Sailors were able to experience a new culture in a different way, and their Senegalese co-workers left an impression, Oyoque said.

"I liked talking to the people," he said. "I don't know much French, but I do like soccer. We were able to communicate to each other about it."

By then end of the day, both U.S. and Senegalese service members walked away with more than a painted building. "The more you are exposed to the world, the more you realize that we all have the same basic needs, wants and desires, and that friendship is a universal quality," Dunham said.

Nashville is currently deployed in support of Africa Partnership Station, 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.

• Date Taken: 02.05.2009
• Date Posted: 02.05.2009 19:16
• Story ID: 29694