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General Santos Residents Welcome USS Blue Ridge; U.S. Navy and AFP Conduct Several Community Projects

Sailors from the USS Blue Ridge, a visiting U.S. Navy ship, paint the exterior of Bawing Elementary School in General Santos City. Personnel from the USS Blue Ridge and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) teamed up in General Santos City for several community projects, including construction work to repair structural damage at both the Bawing High School and Elementary School such as plumbing, door repairs, stucco work to comfort rooms, renovation of a health clinic, roof repairs, and patching and painting of walls.
Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney and U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Doug Crowder, Commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, turned over a donation of goods from Project Handclasp to the Bawing Elementary and High Schools, including books, toys, clothing, food, hygiene supplies, and sewing machines. Accepting the donation is Principal Edgardo Raro of the Bawing Elementary School. Personnel from the USS Blue Ridge and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) teamed up in General Santos City to deliver donated goods; provide free health clinics; and conduct engineering projects for schools.
Personnel from the USS Blue Ridge and AFP provided free medical care to residents of Bawing during the ship's three-day goodwill visit to the General Santos City. Students and their families received free care such as immunizations, general health checkups, and dental work at the February 17 program. Pictured above, medical personnel from the AFP and local government provide dental care to a resident.
Ambassador Kenney and a U.S. Navy sailor from the USS Blue Ridge talk to children and sign autographs at Bawing High School, where the U.S. Sailors teamed with the AFP to provide free medical care, repair the school's buildings, and donate goods such as books, sports equipment, and clothing. "It's a real privilege to be here today making improvements to a school and working together for great health," said Ambassador Kenney during a tour of the school. "Because everything we do is going to make the future of General Santos City prosperous and bright."
To celebrate the arrival of the USS Blue Ridge to General Santos City during a goodwill visit to the Philippines, the ship held a reception on the deck of the USS Blue Ridge. Pictured is Ambassador Kenney with AFP Colonel Dalmas. The USS Blue Ridge visited Manila, Cebu, and General Santos City during its two-week visit to the Philippines, reflecting longstanding ties between our two countries as well as our continued commitment to work together to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach.
Ambassador Kenney and U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Crowder join representatives from the city and barangay government, Changco Elementary School, and AFP at the official ribbon-cutting of a new school building. Changco Elementary School, formerly an open-air nipa structure with a leaking roof, was rebuilt entirely by a team from the AFP and U.S. Navy. The school now boasts two classrooms, two comfort rooms, blackboards, windows, and ceiling fans, and will provide a safe and secure environment in which children can learn.
The U.S. Navy and AFP teamed up to rebuild the Changco Elementary School in General Santos City. The school now boasts two classrooms, two comfort rooms, blackboards, windows, and ceiling fans, and will provide a safe and secure environment in which children can learn. Pictured is one of the new classrooms. The U.S. Navy also donated goods from Project Handclasp to the school, including books, toys, clothing, food, and hygiene supplies.
Students of Changco Elementary School in General Santos City wave homemade U.S. and Philippine flags during a ceremony to open a two-room school built by the U.S. and Philippine militaries in partnership with the local government. "We have such a great partnership throughout the Philippines but no where is it more obvious than in beautiful General Santos City," said U.S. Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney during her February 17-18 visit to the city.

Last Update :: 02/20/2007

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