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Salvadoran Translators Key to Continuing Promise Success

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090703-08
Release Date: 7/3/2009 5:51:00 AM

By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Stratton

LA UNION, El Salvador (NNS) -- Translators aboard USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) are critical to mission success during Continuing Promise 2009 (CP09).

"Comfort physicians have told us, 'If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't have been able to explain the patients problems to them,'" said Alejandra Martinez, a local medical student at Matias Delgado University in Santa Tecla, El Salvador and Spanish translator aboard Comfort. "We're facilitating...care to the people of La Union and our nation."

"Through[out] this mission I have felt really important, because many people ask me if I'm a Salvadoran, when I answer 'yes,' they tend to trust me more," Martinez said. "Patients have said they think we understand them and can talk with them at their level of understanding in their native tongue."

Interactions like these are what have empowered the CP09 team throughout their four-month humanitarian and civic assistance mission to Latin America and the Caribbean region.

"We do have some Spanish-speaking folks on board," said Comfort Command Master Chief Dianne Lohner. "However, the Salvadorans augmenting our force know more of the local language style and medical terms," Lohner said. "This group of translators has helped things go more smoothly. If you don't have enough people to relate your message, it is hard to take care of the patients' needs."

"By providing countless customer service miracles, we have made a very positive impact on the community of La Union," said Cpl. Sandra Sharp, a Canadian Army medic aboard Comfort. "We have improved the way people feel about North Americans and their allies overseas, especially those of us who have come here through this mission of miracles."

The CP09 mission combines U.S. military and interagency personnel, non-governmental organizations, civil service mariners, academic and partner nations to provide medical, dental, veterinary and engineering services afloat and ashore alongside host nation personnel.

"Comfort is important for us as it has taught us more about life and how to treat patients as future doctors," said Jennifer Amaya, also a medical student at Matias Delgado University and Spanish translator aboard Comfort. "This mission has opened our eyes to new possibilities and a world outside of our own shore."

CP09 teams have treated more than 72,244 patients since the mission began in Haiti. They have also visited the Dominican Republic, Antigua and Barbuda, Panama and Colombia. The ship is scheduled to arrive in Nicaragua July 3 to complete this year's mission.

"I would love to participate in another mission like this, no matter which ship comes next," Amaya said. "We aren't here just to work, but we also come here to have fun and interact with our northern neighbors. We all very much appreciate the hard work and dedication this year's team has brought to our people. I've heard many patients say how happy they are to receive the care you bring and have said on numerous occasions how the Comfort represents hope for a better life."

For more news from Continuing Promise 2009, visit www.navy.mil/local/cp/.