4 March 2009
By Sgt. Elsa Portillo,Africa Partnership Station Nashville Public Affairs
MONROVIA, Liberia – U.S. Marines with Marine Advisor Team (MAT) and the Liberian Security Sector Reform (SSR) lent a helping hand to the soldiers with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Feb. 17 to deliver school supplies to the United Methodist School System in Monrovia, Liberia.
The donation consisted of approximately 165 desks and 319 boxes containing school bags and school kits. The United Methodist School System received these items as a donation from a stateside organization and had it delivered through the U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp program.
This program, created in 1962, allows the U.S. Navy to collect donations from the private sector, transport them in their empty cargo space, and distribute them at ports of call. Project Handclasp gives a mode of transport and also gives U.S. Sailors and Marines the ability to foster positive relationships with citizens all around the world.
“It’s really, really exciting to see our new military coming to help and working with U.S. Marines as partners,” said Dr. Anthony Dioh, director, United Methodist School System. “It is so exciting and it is helpful. It gives us hope that we have a new military that will not only protect the people but also serve the people, so I’m really delighted to know that this is possible.”
This is the first time the United Methodist School System has used Project Handclasp, and it has been a success on various fronts. It has helped alleviate the cost of transportation for the Liberian facilitator and also given the U.S. Marines and AFL soldiers a chance to interact and make a difference in the community.
“I think it’s a really good idea to combine humanitarian aid and the U.S. military,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Sean Castaneda, advisor, MAT and Cheyenne, Wy., native. “It gives everyone a chance to help and makes everyone feel good about being able to do something to help another person.”
All parties enjoyed the interaction and said they hope this was not a one-time event. Liberia is recovering from civil war, and donations via Project Handclasp play a part in this process. “This is the first time we have had help from the Navy,” said Dioh. “I’m praying that this will continue.… We just want to say thank you and that this new AFL has given us hope that there is a better future for our children, a better future for our nation.”
By Sgt. Elsa Portillo,Africa Partnership Station Nashville Public Affairs
MONROVIA, Liberia – U.S. Marines with Marine Advisor Team (MAT) and the Liberian Security Sector Reform (SSR) lent a helping hand to the soldiers with the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Feb. 17 to deliver school supplies to the United Methodist School System in Monrovia, Liberia.
The donation consisted of approximately 165 desks and 319 boxes containing school bags and school kits. The United Methodist School System received these items as a donation from a stateside organization and had it delivered through the U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp program.
This program, created in 1962, allows the U.S. Navy to collect donations from the private sector, transport them in their empty cargo space, and distribute them at ports of call. Project Handclasp gives a mode of transport and also gives U.S. Sailors and Marines the ability to foster positive relationships with citizens all around the world.
“It’s really, really exciting to see our new military coming to help and working with U.S. Marines as partners,” said Dr. Anthony Dioh, director, United Methodist School System. “It is so exciting and it is helpful. It gives us hope that we have a new military that will not only protect the people but also serve the people, so I’m really delighted to know that this is possible.”
This is the first time the United Methodist School System has used Project Handclasp, and it has been a success on various fronts. It has helped alleviate the cost of transportation for the Liberian facilitator and also given the U.S. Marines and AFL soldiers a chance to interact and make a difference in the community.
“I think it’s a really good idea to combine humanitarian aid and the U.S. military,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Sean Castaneda, advisor, MAT and Cheyenne, Wy., native. “It gives everyone a chance to help and makes everyone feel good about being able to do something to help another person.”
All parties enjoyed the interaction and said they hope this was not a one-time event. Liberia is recovering from civil war, and donations via Project Handclasp play a part in this process. “This is the first time we have had help from the Navy,” said Dioh. “I’m praying that this will continue.… We just want to say thank you and that this new AFL has given us hope that there is a better future for our children, a better future for our nation.”
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