Wasp Brings Project Handclasp to Belize

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Amie Gonzales | Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40, Capt. Rodelio Laco presents the Project Handclasp pallets to the minister of national security, Carlos Perdomo, during the Project Handclasp turnover ceremony at the Belize Defense Force Air Wing. Approximately 45 Project Handclasp pallets were turned over from USS Wasp to the Belize government for distribution. Wasp is currently deployed on Southern Partnership Station-Amphib with Destroyer Squadron 40 and embarked SCMAGTF. Southern Partnership Station is part of the Partnership of the Americas Maritime Strategy that focuses on building interoperability and cooperation in the region to meet common challenges.  

USCENTCOM, AT SEA

11.25.2009

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Amie Gonzales 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

CARIBBEAN SEA — Task Group 40.7 embarked onboard multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp turned over more than $130,000 in Project Handclasp donations to the Belizean government in a ceremony held at the Belize Defense Force Air Wing in Ladyville, Belize, Nov. 25.

Forty-five Project Handclasp pallets filled with medical supplies, first aid, hygiene products, 70 backpacks filled with school supplies, 125 teddy bears and toys were received by the minister of national security, Carlos Perdomo.

"I think this helps in two ways, it strengthens and fosters the relationship we've had over the years, and it helps to inspire and maybe begin new relationships with other groups and organizations here between Belize and the United States and the military as well," said Cmdr. Dean Hoelz, Wasp Command chaplain.

Project Handclasp is a U.S. Navy-run program that accepts and transports delivery of donated humanitarian, educational, and goodwill material. Donations are transported on naval vessels and distributed by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel on behalf of American citizens.

"This is really a special thing because this involves medical supplies, humanitarian assistance to, in many cases, the children and other need persons in Belize," said Sharon Featherstone, Charge' d' Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan. "These are very worthwhile organizations that will be benefiting from this."

Several non-government organizations in Belize will also benefit from the Project Handclasp pallets including Garden City Primary School, Hazel Hutchinson's Day Care for the Elderly, Kings Children's Home, Liberty Orphanage, Marla's House of Hope, and Sister Cecilia's Home for the Elderly.

"The partnership between the United States government and Belize is a long standing one and a very important one," said Featherstone. "The U.S. military assists tremendously with the development of the Belize defense force, they cooperate with training programs, they also do humanitarian assistance programs here in Belize, as well as, disaster mitigation."

Project Handclasp enables the Navy to carry out its mission of fostering peace and goodwill by promoting international friendship and trust. It has also given service members the opportunity to gain understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures and quality of life of people in other nations through direct contact and community relations projects.

Wasp is currently deployed on Southern Partnership Station-Amphib 2009 with Destroyer Squadron 40 and embarked Security Cooperation Marine Air-Ground Task Force. SPS is part of the Partnership of the Americas Maritime Strategy that focuses on building interoperability and cooperation in the region to meet common challenges.

• Date Taken: 11.25.2009
• Date Posted: 11.29.2009 13:50
• Story ID: 42128
• Location: USCENTCOM, AT SEA