An international military team of Africa Partnership Station (APS) Nashville sailors delivered supplies to a school and a children's shelter in villages outside Dakar, Senegal, February 7, 2009.

APS representatives from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, the United Kingdom and United States traveled to villages surrounding Dakar to deliver the goods, which were donated through the Project Handclasp initiative.
The first stop was Gallo Diouf Elementary School, where the team delivered more than 70 boxes containing school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, book bags and additional items.

Upon arrival at the school, the APS Nashville team was welcomed by school children with singing, dancing and heartfelt smiles.

Gathered around the stacks of donated goods, local residents thanked the APS crew members for the valuable supplies.

"On behalf of the teachers and the students and everybody in the village, I wish you endless presence here," said Djibrie Thianoloum, village chief and teachers' association head. "We know the beginning [of our friendship], but may we not know the end."

"This donation...is larger than you can believe," he added. "We cannot measure the real importance of your donations and work because the help you are giving the school will help these children concentrate on studies, so they can have a better chance to become successful professionals in our country."

Later that day, the APS Nashville team visited Vivre Ensemble, a childrens' "refuge" outside Dakar to deliver boxes of medicine, hygiene products and baby care items-- all essential items for Vivre Ensemble's operation, according to Michelle Buron, the orphanage's co-founder.

"Every donated piece that comes here has a continual need," said Buron. "But, please come back anytime, even without donations. People that come here, their hearts are changed forever."

The refuge is unusual in that Buron's facility provides care to infants up to one year of age to support mothers who are unable to care for them due to financial, health or other reasons. It also has a program that works with young street boys.

After offloading the Project Handclasp supplies, the APS team toured the facility, taking time out to interact with the infants and staff.

"The village that we went to was very grateful, and Vivre Ensemble thanked us repeatedly," said Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Wyeth. "Very few people here have what we take for granted back in the United States. Coming out here, even though it's a little bit, it's a lot to them. That makes a world of difference."

The Norfolk-based amphibious transport dock ship, USS Nashville (LPD 13), is deployed as a part of Africa Partnership Station, an international initiative developed by U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa. Nashville's APS mission is focused on operations in West and Central Africa.