5th CES, Seabees restore heart of community

  • Published
  • By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Emmitt J. Hawks
  • Continuing Promise Public Affairs
GEORGETOWN, Guyana --  Airmen from the 5th Civil Engineer Squadron Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force and Navy Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 202, currently embarked aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), began renovation and repair work at the East Ruimveldt Community Center here Nov. 9 in support of the humanitarian and civic assistance mission in support of Continuing Promise 2008.

"A project like this is heartwarming," said Tech. Sergeant Derron Price, 5th CES project site leader. "We are going to make sure the grounds are safe and secure so the community will take new interest in the center."

The community center has been a fixture in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years. It has also served as a daycare facility with children six months to four years of age.

"The community center has been a second home to generations of children in this neighborhood," said Donna Mohabeer, president of the East Ruimveldt Development Association. "The center is the heart of our community and we introduce civic/welfare programs to educate our children in hopes they will give back to this community."

Mohabeer, a former active duty service member in the Guyanese Defense Force, said the center's focus is on cultural development, health education, and sports.

One Sailor stationed aboard Kearsarge remembers the community center very well.

Fireman Nikita Phillips grew up two blocks from the center as a child. She was excited about the opportunity to return to her homeland and see the center getting a facelift.

"I came to this community center as a child," said Phillips. "I think what CP mission is doing here is wonderful. Guyana needs projects like this; it brings the community together and supports positive views of America."

CP 2008 engineers, along with the assistance of community relations project volunteers from Kearsarge, will work clean the outside of the facility, painting, replace awnings, light poles, stairs, install a playground, soccer and basketball goals and put up a new fence around the facility.

Kearsarge's mission exemplifies the U.S.' maritime strategy, which emphasizes deploying forces to build confidence and trust among nations through collective maritime security efforts that focus on common threats and mutual interests.

The CP Caribbean Phase is the second of two missions to the Southern Command area of responsibility for 2008. The first mission was conducted by USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific.

For more news on CP, log on to SOUTHCOM's Web site at www.southcom.mil.