Navy Supply Ship Aids Community in Guatemala
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080805-02
Release Date: 8/5/2008 6:14:00 AM
By Lt. j.g. Vincente Price, USNS Saturn Public Affairs
MUNICIPIO DE ZTAPA, Guatemala (NNS) -- Crew members of USNS Saturn (T-AFS 10) participated in a community relations project in Municipio de Ztapa Guatemala, July 23.
Nineteen Sailors and civil service mariners from Saturn took a day during the ship's in-port maintenance period to deliver Project Handclasp medical supplies and hygiene products to the community clinic. Additionally, they delivered toys and first aid kits to two public elementary schools.
Project Handclasp is a collection of donated humanitarian, educational and goodwill items the Navy delivers to people in need around the world.
Although consisting of only two doctors and eighteen staff members, the community clinic provides care for many local pediatric, adult, and elderly residents who suffer from pneumonia, respiratory infections, and various skin infections.
"Any little bit helps," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class (SW/AW) Raven Williams. "This event was certainly worthwhile."
Sailors also offered toys and first aid kits for the two local schools.
"I had a wonderful time and the response we received from the children and adults was priceless," said Operations Specialist Seaman Kiara Wilson.
The Project Handclasp items brought smiles to the faces of children at the two schools, which serve more than 1,000 children.
"There is nothing more beautiful to see than children happy and smiling," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class (SW) Alfredo Felizola.
Saturn is deployed to the Latin America and the Caribbean providing logistical support to counter illicit-trafficking missions in the U.S. Southern Command area of focus.
For more information from USNS Saturn, visit www.msc.navy.mil/saturn.
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