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Seabees Make Improvements to School in Port-au-Prince

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100302-09
Release Date: 3/2/2010 5:38:00 PM

From Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command Public Affairs

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (NNS) -- Naval Special Warfare Group (NSWG) 2 Logistics and Support Unit Seabees completed improvement projects Feb. 25 at the Quisqueya School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The project was part of an initiative to assist school administrators in making repairs and improvements to help facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid and supplies after the Jan. 12 earthquake which devastated the Caribbean nation.

"We've assisted the school with power generation to cool medical supplies used by non-governmental organizations [NGO] currently residing here, and we also helped widen the gate of the school's compound so they can receive larger shipments of aid," said Construction Mechanic 1st Class Jason Pompe, a project team leader.

In addition to serving as a learning institution for children throughout Port-au-Prince, the Quisqueya school is being used as a staging base for NGOs who are in the country providing vital medical and humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti.

Seabees involved in the projects said the opportunity to apply their building expertise to improve facilities was their chance to make a difference.

"We see our contributions as a way of assisting those who are helping the people of Haiti get through this difficult time," said Pompe. "It's rewarding for us to be able to help good people."

School administrator Steve Hersey was thankful for the Seabees' work and said the projects made a big impact on the quality of life and morale of the students, faculty and aid workers residing at the school.

"The work the Seabees did for us will enable our NGOs to help more people," said Hersey. "Literally, instead of helping a thousand people, we can help ten thousand people. We are extremely grateful for the hard work the military is putting in here in Haiti."

For the Seabees, the project was a small gesture of hope for a nation that is so much in need of humanitarian aid and assistance.

"Our goal was to give them a quality product that will last well into the future," said Chief Warrant Officer Terry Stoneking, officer in charge of the Seabee detachment. "It's our small way of contributing to the humanitarian mission here."