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Malabar Sailors Pitch in at Community Service Project
Story Number: NNS041014-09
Release Date: 10/14/2004 5:29:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class Todd Macdonald, Exercise Malabar 04 Public Affairs
MARGAO, India (NNS) -- USS Cowpens (CG 63), USS Gary (FFG 51) and USS Alexandria (SSN 757) Sailors put smiles on the faces of the students of The Trust of Nanu Nagle School for the Poor here, when they donated medical supplies, sewing machines and books, and painted two classrooms and playground equipment for a community service project Oct. 10.
The project came at the wrap-up of Exercise Malabar 04, which the U.S. Navy conducted with the Indian navy off the coast of Goa, India.
According to the school’s principal and founder, Dr. Kristamand Desai, the free school houses 40 students from grades kindergarten through 12, and is the only school in India for children of migrant workers.
“These children come from very poor families and don’t have much, so for the U.S. Navy to be so gracious, it is like a blessing to us,” said Desai. “I did not ask for this. God provided this for us.”
One of the Sailors had an idea as to the life that some of these children live.
“I’m from a third-world country, so I know how much it means to get help from others,” said Chief Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) (SW) Dwight March, a Cowpens Sailor, originally from Jamaica. “Those experiences make me want to come out and help.”
Culinary Specialist Seaman Nakia McFarlane, from Cowpens, said she came out to help because she likes to help people. “I think we sometimes take other cultures for granted,” she said. “Everybody needs a helping hand.”
For other Sailors, going to these projects gives them a more realistic view of a particular country.
“I like to get out and work,” said Sonar Technician 2nd Class Eran Buck, assigned to Gary. “It’s another way to see India, rather than from the tourist areas, which doesn’t give you a true view of what the country is really like. Plus, you are helping someone out, and that gives you a good feeling.”
The Sailors painted two of the classrooms and all the playground equipment. The children and Sailors shared lunch together, provided by the Cowpens galley, which gave the Sailors a chance to talk to the students.
“The kids were so sweet,” said Fire Controlman 3rd Class (SW) Catherine Slee aboard Cowpens. “This one boy came up to me by himself, without any adult urging him on, and looked right at me and said, ‘Thank you very much for coming.’ That made it all worthwhile for me.”
After lunch, the Sailors passed out books, donated as part of Project Handclasp, to the kids. Reading material was something they had very little of, and it excited the children.
For Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Jeannette Tarqueno, a Sailor aboard Cowpens, the community service project gave her a chance to give an impromptu reading lesson to a young girl.
“She just came up to me with the book in her hand and wanted me to help her read it,” she said, “so I put her on my lap and we read through it. It was fun, and she did a pretty good job of it.”
In the end, the Sailors said they got as much out of the visit as the children did.
“I try to give back to places I visit, and the work’s rewarding,” said Fire Control Technician 3rd Class (SS) Tony Mendoza, from Alexandria. “Besides, I like kids.”
“I see everything they need and I know I should do something,” said Yeoman 2nd Class (SS/DV) Jared Lyon, also assigned to Alexandria. “If I can do anything to help, I’m always happy to do it.”
Exercise Malabar was designed to increase interoperability between the U.S. and Indian navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between the two countries. The at-sea training included maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface and air events, as well as personnel exchanges.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c7f.
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