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Stennis Sailors Build Playhouse for Children in Malaysia
Story Number: NNS040913-06
Release Date: 9/13/2004 4:08:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) Chris Fowler, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) spent two days at the Ampang Society for Special Children outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Sept. 3 and 4, building a playhouse and garden shed. In addition, Stennis donated $800 worth of school supplies.
The Religious Ministries Department aboard Stennis organized the two-day event for more than 80 Sailors as part of ongoing community service programs while on deployment in the Western Pacific.
According to Chaplain (Lt.) Jon Conroe, Stennis’ community service programs provide unique opportunities for Sailors who want to make a difference.
“By reaching out to the community, we serve to increase mutual understanding and respect between different cultures,” said Conroe. “Also, Sailors have a chance to connect in a very human way. It’s that human connection that bridges all language and culture barriers.”
Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Thomas Nichols is the production supervisor for Stennis’ aviation intermediate maintenance department. Having learned construction from his father, he helped supervise the more inexperienced Sailors with the construction of both the playhouse and the garden shed.
“It was great,” Nichols said. “Sure, we worked hard. But at the end of the day, we felt the satisfaction of knowing that we built something that is going to last and children will enjoy.”
Stennis’ engineering department’s repair division provided technical expertise and many of the tools used during the construction. Hull Technician Fireman Joseph Casey works in Repair division’s carpenter shop.
“I spent the second day painting the playhouse,” said Hull Technician Fireman Joseph Casey, who works in Repair division's carpenter shop. “A small child, who was very excited, kept asking me when the house would be ready to play in. It made me feel like I was really making a difference in a child's life.”
Conroe said that one of the most memorable moments for him was watching the interaction between Stennis volunteers and the children.
“I was watching the executive officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 sitting quietly with a child,” said Conroe. “I said to him, ‘It looks like you found a friend,’ and he turned to me and simply responded, ‘Some things are universal.’”
The Ampang Society for Special Children is a non-profit, privately funded school for the mentally handicapped. Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet public affairs provided funds for the project.
Stennis is currently on a scheduled summer deployment in the Western Pacific and scheduled to return to homeport at Naval Station North Island, Coronado, this fall.
For related news, visit the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn74.
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