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Continuing Promise Mission Rebuilds Hope in Trinidad and Tobago

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081029-15
Release Date: 10/29/2008 6:09:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ernest Scott, Continuing Promise 2008 Public Affairs

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (NNS) -- Navy Seabee Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 202 and the Prime Base Emergency Engineer Force from the Air Force's 5th Civil Engineer Squadron have partnered with service members from Trinidad and Tobago to renovate a local hostel that provides shelter for women in need Oct. 25-Nov. 7.

The U.S. team embarked USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) is part of the humanitarian/civic assistance (HCA) mission Continuing Promise (CP) 2008.

St. Jude's School for Girls provides education for local children and housing for women in need. St. Jude supports individuals until they are ready to support themselves. In 2004, a collapsed roof forced St. Jude to close its Mount Carmel Hostel which housed 38 women.

According to Sister Katrina Charles, manager of St. Jude's School for Girls, a lack of funding for repairs caused the hostel to remain closed. With the assistance of the CP 2008 engineering team and local military volunteers, repairs are underway, and the hostel will soon reopen.

"This is the first time I've seen any military do something like this," said Charles. "We don't have the money to make the repairs, and without this help they may not have been made."

The Mount Carmel Hostel has reached out to local women for more than 70 years, providing refuge and hope. The engineers are working hard to ensure the building can once again be used to provide support and comfort to those in need.

"In addition to the roof, we've made repairs to many vandalized areas," said Chief Equipment Operator Jerry Greer of CMBU 202 "We hope to clean this place up and return it to working order."

Kearsarge Sailors, along with local military service members, are providing assistance to the engineering team by replacing ceiling tiles, painting the interior, replacing electrical wiring and installing new plumbing and new doors.

For Charles, the hostel's reopening couldn't come soon enough.

"This area is crying out for help. We provide hope, and the hostel provides the help they need."

Engineers plan to complete all repairs by Nov. 7 in time for a ribbon-cutting and a closing ceremony for the CP 2008 mission in the country.

Kearsarge is supporting the Caribbean phase of CP, a joint effort among the United States, partner nations and non-governmental organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to South American countries and to build meaningful, lasting partnerships.

CP provides support by conducting medical, dental and engineering assistance programs ashore in response to host nation requests and requirements. The deployment's goal is to improve health, prolong life, promote training and enhance prosperity in the region.

The CP Caribbean Phase is the second of two HCA deployments to the Southern Command area of focus for 2008. The first CP deployment was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.