Africa Partnership Station Nashville, Project Handclasp deliver goods in Limbe

LIMBE, CAMEROON

04.03.2009

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class David Holmes  

U.S. Navy           

LIMBE, Cameroon – Africa Partnership Station Nashville Sailors and Marines donated 24 pallets of humanitarian supplies to four different local organizations during their visit, April 3.

USS Nashville is conducting a two-week port visit in Limbe, Cameroon as part of the APS mission. While there, the ship will be conducting workshops and seminars designed to enhance maritime safety and security as well as having the added benefit of providing humanitarian assistance.

The humanitarian supplies were delivered Save the Children Alliance Orphanage, Ecole Matronele Children's School, Limbe Regional Hospital and the Open Door Clinic, all located in the greater Limbe area. The provisions included items such as school books, mattresses, medical and hygiene supplies, stuffed animals and toys.

Project Handclasp was established in 1962 and is part of the U.S. Navy's overseas people-to-people program.

The program coordinates the donation of the humanitarian, educational and goodwill supplies through the Project Handclasp Foundation, Inc. by corporations, charitable and public service organizations and private citizens throughout the United States. The transportation and delivery of these supplies to foreign countries is facilitated through U.S service members on ships like Nashville. Through interactions with US Embassy Country Teams, Host Nation civil and military officials and non-governmental organizations APS and Maritime Civil Affairs personnel responded to direct requests for needed materials.

According to Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Wyeth, an APS Nashville civil affairs team member, just seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and the people he meets makes the effort worthwhile.

"The personnel at the hospital we visited today don't normally get the supplies they need to do their work," said Wyeth. "It is a good that we can provide assistance not only in enhancing their maritime safety and security but by also being able to give something back personally. APS gives all of us an opportunity to give our partners what they need to get the job done. It is a wonderful feeling."

These sentiments were echoed by a number of locals, who were thankful for the Handclasp donations. "I know APS and Project Handclasp have brought something important for the children," said Josephine Ngalie Nalova, founder and director of the Save the Children Alliance Orphanage. "I think it will help them go a long way. I just want to thank the Sailors and Marines with all my heart for thinking of these little ones here. From now on, they are our partners."

Nalova founded her orphanage in 2000 and currently takes care of 23 children with the help of staff members and volunteers.

"[APS and Project Handclasp] are programs that will take us far, in that working with APS gives us a solid reference from which to grow our organization," said Nalova. "We need sponsors to help build dormitories and classrooms. APS gives us the means to reach out and provide aid to those who would have not normally received it."

APS is a multi-national initiative under the auspices of Naval Forces Europe and Africa which is designed to work cooperatively with U.S., European and African partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. APS provides a unique venue to align maritime engagements by employing a diverse team of maritime professionals in a variety of military capacities and civilian fields such as fisheries management, port security and meteorology. Nashville's APS mission is concentrated on collaborative efforts in West and Central Africa.

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

• Date Taken: 04.03.2009
• Date Posted: 04.05.2009 15:23
• Story ID: 32041
• Location: LIMBE, CM