May 11, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release #059-08
USS Momsen Sailors Visit School In Kenya
MOMBASA, Kenya – A group of 20 USS Momsen (DDG 92) Sailors visited a school in Mombasa, Kenya May 7 as part of a community relations (COMREL) program called Project Handclasp.
Project Handclasp is a U.S. Navy program that provides donated items such as books, clothes, toys, and medical items to agencies and organizations in countries that could benefit from those materials.
“This was one of the reasons why I joined the Navy,” said Fire Controlman Third Class Helen Stull. “We are ambassadors and I’m really proud to be one of the Americans these children will be able to say they met.”
During the classroom visits to Tudor Primary School, which has over 500 students between the ages of nine and 17, Sailors took turns introducing themselves to the students and describing their jobs aboard Momsen. At first, the students were shy towards their foreign guests, but soon were all smiles.
Students asked the Sailors questions about Momsen and the Navy, while one girl specifically mentioned computers - something the school didn’t have.
After the Sailors passed out the donated items, they played soccer and frisbee with the students.
“Since I got off the bus, I have been smiling,” said Quartermaster Senior Chief Anthony Harden. “That’s all that I’ve been doing all day.”
As Sailors and students posed together for pictures, it was clear that the visit was a positive experience for all involved.
“I hope we made their lives a little better and were able to brighten their lives as much as they brightened mine,” said Stull.
Momsen departed Mombasa May 9, following a three-day port visit, which allowed the ship’s crew to participate in COMREL events and professional military exchanges that strengthened ties between the U.S and Kenya.
Momsen is currently underway as part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, which is on deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help develop security, which promotes stability and global prosperity in the maritime environment. These operations complement the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
Digg it