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Doyle Sailors Help Panamanian Orphanage

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101215-16
12/15/2010

By Lt. j.g. Kassandra Richardt, USS Doyle Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY, Panama (NNS) -- Young children surrounded USS Doyle (FFG 39) Sailors as they walked through the newly repaired and repainted rooms of their orphanage, Divino Nino de Hogar Dec. 2.

The small orphanage houses 42 children between the ages of seven months and seven years.

Many of the children housed in the privately run orphanage were abandoned, abused and neglected, so when the call for help came, USS Doyle Sailors were quick to volunteer for the community relations (COMREL) project. Through the making friends/preventing enemies' principle, they gave back to the local community by helping the orphanage and spending time with the children.

The COMREL program enables U.S. service members to be involved with local communities through humanitarian efforts. Many of the programs involve rebuilding and repainting schools, orphanages and hospitals in communities of need, as well as providing supplies such as medical goods and hygiene products. School supplies and toys are also common goods given to the local community.

"I enjoy working as a volunteer abroad as well as at home," said Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Chandler. "Giving back to the community has been a big part of my life; as a recipient and now as volunteer. I believe we have left a lasting impression in Panama, and I know of a few special children who have touched my heart back at Divino Nino de Hogar. The Doyle's bond with the orphanage and acts of kindness will definitely strengthen our foreign relations with Panama. Given the opportunity, I would definitely help out in future COMRELs."

With 30 volunteers armed with tools and paint, Doyle Sailors spent the day repairing windows, doors, walls and repainting the rooms and hallways of the orphanage. Doyle also gave two boxes of hygiene and medical supplies along with 100 stuffed animals.

After the repairs, the children put on a show where they dressed in local costumes and recited poems. Sailors played games with the orphans and celebrated a small birthday party hosted by the orphanage staff, followed by the distribution of stuffed animals as gifts for the children. For the children, this was no ordinary visit, as this was the first time many of them had seen American Sailors.

"Being able to spend the day with orphaned children is a heartwarming experience," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class Benardo Suarez. "It took the homesickness away from all of the participants. We intended to give to the community, but the children's laughter, love and appreciation was a gift the community ended up giving us."

Doyle is currently deployed under operational control to U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet (COMUSNAVSO/C4F), conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South, U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and U.S. Coast Guard District Seven.

COMUSNAVSO is the naval component command for U.S. Southern Command and is responsible for all naval personnel and assets in the area of responsibility. COMUSNAVSO conducts a variety of missions in support of the U.S. maritime strategy, including theater security cooperation, relationship building, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, community relations, and counter-illicit trafficking operations.