USS Klakring (FFG 42) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL 42) Detachment (Det) 10 sailors worked alongside airmen from 429th Expeditionary Operations Squadron landscaping, building bookshelves and painting during a COMREL at the Siloam Village Orphanage in Curacao, 16 August. The ship was in Curacao as part of the six-month Southern Seas 2010 deployment to the region.
The orphanage presently houses 12 terminally ill children and helps the surrounding community through weekly food and clothing distributions. Plans are being made to provide a daycare, school and training facilities for adults to help improve reading and enhance job skills. It is supported by the generous contributions from private citizens and organizations that give money, supplies and time.
Owner and director Brother Herman Gijsbers, a missionary who along with his wife, Bep, and daughter, Natasja, moved from the Netherlands to Curacao 21 years ago, said he was very pleased and a bit overwhelmed to have the U.S. military (18 sailors and 10 airmen) come out and do so much for the children and community.
"It would have taken me three or four months to do the work you all did in four hours," said Brother Herman. "I saw the work and sweat you all gave for us in this heat today. I am truly grateful to both God and you for being here."
COMREL programs enable U.S. military members to be involved with the local community through humanitarian efforts. Many of the programs include repairing and repainting schools or 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.
Air Force Chaplain Karl Blancaflor said we as Americans sometime forget how fortunate we are.
