Continuing Promise 2011
Puerto San Jose, Guatemala
Education Coalition
USNS COMFORT Arrives in Guatemala
The ship almost docked at the Port of San Jose; however, there were
challenges with anchoring the ship directly to the provided gangway.
The Military Sealift Command Captain and mariners decided to anchor
the ship to a walkway attached to the gangway, which kept the ship
close to the shore. We used the ship’s small hospitality boats to ride
around the ship to the pier. The port included a beautiful yacht club
with a tiki hut restaurant. We were given the unique opportunity to
spend a few liberty (free) hours at the restaurant to enjoy the food
and utilize the free internet. The military members were able to leave
during their off-duty hours and most of the civilians were able to
visit the shore each night. It was pleasant to have the opportunity to
view and purchase local gift items available during our visit.
Rotary Welcome
We began our project development by contacting the Rotary Club of
Escuintla. The Rotarians were very engaging. The Maritime Civil
Affairs Team and I attended a morning Rotary meeting in Escuintla.
This Rotary meeting was only the second meeting that I have been able
to attend. I was extremely thankful for the opportunity to view and
learn more about the different services Rotarians provide globally.
The Rotarians also had an opportunity to tour the COMFORT. They
enjoyed the experience tremendously and even provided t-shirts for the
COMFORT volunteers who assisted with their transportation and tour
experience.
We were able to also visit each Rotary identified school alongside
club members to coordinate a dynamic three-day program.
COMFORT Collaboration
The Coalition began a unique partnership with the USNS COMFORT band
and Dental Department in Nicaragua and the program helped provide an
alternative program in Guatemala. We visited the school Escuela La
Ceiba in Escuintla to investigate delivering backpacks. Upon our
arrival, we learned that the school was actually two schools, 250
students in the morning and 270 in the afternoon. We discussed options
with the Director and decided to organize a band concert, dental
puppet show, and health and hygiene program. We had a wonderful
opportunity to reach over 500 children in Guatemala through one event.
Once we finalized the dates for our visits, we began coordinating
COMFORT volunteers and departments to solidify the upcoming program.
We were very fortunate to have so many people join the program to have
a successful experience with the children.
Education Program
1st day July 6th
Teeth, Hygiene, Dengue, and Music (Escuela La Ceiba, Escuintla Guatemala)
The UCSD (University of California San Diego) puppet show lead and US
Navy Commander in charge of the COMFORT Dental Department organized a
new cast of 2 US military and 2 UCSD volunteers to play in the puppet
show. This time the audience included over 500 children. It was
challenging to prevent the children from running back and forth
between the puppet show’s and band’s equipment, but we managed to keep
almost everyone in front of the stage.
The program for the day consisted of two shows, one in the morning
school and one in the afternoon. The dental puppet show was first
followed by a hygiene discussion noting hand washing and coughing
techniques. Rotary partners provided a discussion on nutrition and
Dengue Fever prevention. Following the education program, the USNS
COMFORT full rock band played a set for the children. The students
were a bit shy at this school, many students choosing to remain in
their desks. However, a group of little boys joined some Navy and Air
Force members to dance in front of the stage.
The COMFORT Dental Department donated 480 toothbrushes and toothpaste
for students at both schools. There were 535 children between both
schools, so we decided to distribute items to the first school and
give the additional donations to our Rotary partners to match
donations and distribute donations to the second school next week.
This avenue ensured that all of the children at the school would
receive a new toothbrush and toothpaste.
2nd day July 7th
Lunch with the General
In an interesting turn of events, I was requested to attend a luncheon
with General Fraser from US Southern Command. Our collaboration was
noticed at various levels within Southern Command, which is why I was
allowed to attend. There were a few NGOs that attended including
Latter-Day Saints Charities and Project Hope. The General visited the
COMFORT and different mission sites with a large group of
representatives from Southern Command and the Military Group from
Guatemala. It was an amazing experience to meet several new military
officials, NGO leads, and to have an opportunity to describe our
partnership in more detail to different military officials and the
potential that the collaboration holds for future humanitarian
development.
Escuela Canton Puente de Palo
Due to my attendance at the luncheon, I was unable to visit the school
coordinated for the second day. However, just as this mission has
trained many military members for medical response, our partnership
project has trained several military and NGO partners to facilitate
the project. While I was on the COMFORT, the Maritime Civil Affairs
Team and Courtney Lengberg and Nikki Brody from Latter-Day Saints
Charities led the educational program in my absence. The school
received the same programming from different participants and each
volunteer from that day expressed their appreciation for an amazing
time. I was so thankful for their support and happy that they enjoyed
the experience.
3rd day July 8th
Escuela Republica de Japon
We had a wonderful opportunity to bring the COMFORT’s nutritionist and
JAG officers with us for our third day of distributions. We also were
joined by Terry Fitch, a lead and dental hygienist for Latter-Day
Saints. Many times the work schedules of the ship do not allow several
people the opportunity to participate in other projects or
experiences. We were fortunate that this date opened for our new
volunteers to add a new special touch to the educational program. We
still offered the same educational information; however, like we
promoted in other countries when the information is from the
specialist, it is well received.
Escuela Bienestar Social
This school organized three lovely pavilions with decorations for our
visit. Brightly colored streamers lined the outside rim of the tarps
while wooden benches sat in a row beneath the tents. In an effort to
support the school’s organization for the day we decided to do the
entire program outside. The children participated as we reviewed the
information and moved from section to section to engage their
attention. The children, teachers, and schools in Guatemala were a joy
to visit.
A bit of Adversity
Just in case any of you decide to travel here are a few suggestions
from my experience in Guatemala.
1. If you find yourself in a high-paced dynamic environment, make sure
to never take your camera off.
a. Camera was stolen after I left it in our vehicle.
2. Do not…drink anything with ice and stay away from eggs.
a. Caught a heavy case of food poisoning, luckily I was on a medical
ship with IV fluids.
3. Watch out for puddles or any standing water.
a. Caught an animal worm that was carried through water and went
through the mesh portion of my boot.
Not to worry- all is well! We are organizing our last partnership
project for El Salvador.
I cannot wait to return to the states and share more details, photos,
and conversations with all of you! Thank you so much for your amazing
support! We have truly made a difference.
Kari Williams
Education Coalition
CP11-Guatemala
Rotary Club of Escuintla, Rotary District 6980, Give a Kid a Backpack,
Loving Hugs Inc., The Dictionary Project, Samaritan’s Feet
International, Clean the World, the College of Education at the
University of Central Florida, and Orange County Public Schools.
Guatemala Mission:
o Visited 4 schools with 992 children total
o Donations
o USNS COMFORT
480 Dental kits
10 soccer balls -Navy Ensign donation
o Education Coalition
310-backpacks filled with schools supplies, soap, and stuffed
animal; (3 schools)
190-backpacks filled with schools supplies, soap, and stuffed
animal; Rotary Club of Escuintla- donation for distribution
19- teacher bags
o 66 USNS COMFORT volunteers: Military Personnel-USNS COMFORT Band,
Navy Medical Training Facility, Navy Air Detachment, Navy Maritime
Civil Affairs, US Army, NGO Partners-Latter-day Saints, Project Hope
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