Sailors and Marines attached to the amphibious transport-dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) participated in a community service project during a scheduled port visit to the Republic of Seychelles, August 3, 2012.



A group of 16 service members volunteered to conduct minor refurbishing improvements for 600 students in the 7th-12th grades at the Plaisance Secondary School.



"Today benefited our school a lot by making parts of the school more better suited to learn in by cleaning up the overgrown areas of the campus," said Ghislaine Monthy, head teacher of Plaisance Secondary School.



The volunteers spent time interacting with students, staff and faculty members while helping with three minor refurbishing projects: painting the exterior of a classroom building, clearing an overgrown area for garden expansions, and the installation of landscape lighting on the school's central grounds.



"This is a great opportunity to meet the local people and make a positive and lasting contribution," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Shanice Keen.



The ship's chaplain was impressed by the dedication of the volunteers.



"I am very happy with the turnout of sailors and Marines today," said Lieutenant Commander Michael Amedick, USS New York chaplain. "People want to do this type of thing, and I am always impressed with the willingness and eagerness of sailors and Marines to help out."



New York, homeported out of Norfolk Virginia, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.