By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Waldrop
TURBO, Colombia (Nov. 22, 2018) – Tammy Tangeman, a World Hope International volunteer, never thought that her dream of aiding the Navy in a medical assistance effort would be realized.
“I never thought that this would be possible,” said Tangeman. “So, to receive an email from an organization we had associated with previously was like a dream come true.”
World Hope International (WHI) is an organization that works with vulnerable and exploited communities to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world with medical assistance, clean water and providing people with the tools and knowledge to make their lives better.
“I am excited to be a part of this mission and to be working with the Navy,” said Tangeman. “I am thrilled to be part of something so big.”
Tangeman was aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) as a representative for WHI during the ship’s stops in Ecuador and Peru.
“I enjoyed interacting with the people and getting to see their lifestyle and their interactions with us and each other,” said Tangeman. “They were very thankful and grateful for the help we were able to provide.”
During her time aboard the ship, Tangeman noticed the amount of effort it takes to plan and conduct the Comfort mission.
“I look at the detail that it takes to put something like this together, and to have done it on such short notice is incredible,” said Tangeman. “I have really enjoyed working with such a wonderful group of people. It’s been the chance of a lifetime and has been incredibly rewarding.”
Comfort is on an 11-week medical support mission to Central and South America as part of U.S. Southern Command’s Enduring Promise initiative. Working with health and government partners in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Honduras, the embarked medical team will provide care on board and at land-based medical sites, helping to relieve pressure on national medical systems caused partly by an increase in cross-border migrants. The deployment reflects the United States’ enduring promise of friendship, partnership and solidarity with the Americas.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT,
www.dvidshub.net/feature/comfort2018, and www.navy.mil.