Visiting U.S. Sailors Partner with Students in School Renovation Project

HSV 2 Swift sailors with Kinondoni Muslim High School students following soccer game recently during a community relations project where they painted a classroom at the school.

HSV 2 Swift sailors with Kinondoni community members recently during a community relations project recently where they painted a classroom at the nearby Kinondoni Muslim High School.

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On Friday, June 29, fifteen sailors from the visiting U.S. Navy's High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift joined over 30 students in painting the Kinondoni Muslim High School in Dar es Salaam.  The community relations event also included a soccer match between the students and sailors, who were welcomed to school by Headmaster Rajab Mruma.  The HSV-2 Swift is a ship associated with the African Partnership Station (APS) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM).

The Swift sailors spent the day painting classrooms with the students and some faculty members.  One sailor noted: "We are proud to join Tanzanian students today.  While our program is just one day, we hope that the results of our efforts here today stay in the hearts of youth for months to come."  One student said this was his first experience working alongside U.S. sailors, many of whom are slightly older than the students.

U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Officer Dana L. Banks said the community relations program underscores the United States' priority to promote youth outreach programs: "As Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt has said, today's youth will build tomorrow's future and lead Tanzania into a future of development, prosperity, and opportunity for all citizens.  

The event at Kinondoni Muslim High School is one of a series of youth outreach programming coordinated by the U.S. Embassy on the eve of American Independence Day to personally convey our commitment to partner with Tanzanian youth in their aspirations." 

As part of this vision, the U.S. Navy Band conducted three community relations events for over 600 youth earlier this week at the Alice Foundation and Baba wa Watoto Center in Dar es Salaam, and KIWOHEDE Women's and Girls' Center in Bunju.  In addition, the HSV 2 crew conducted military cooperation programs with the Tanzania People's Defense Force on areas of training, environmental preservation, port and maritime security. 

The visit of the HSV 2 Swift to Tanzania also represents the United States of America's commitment to strengthen its strategic partnership with the United Republic of Tanzania, said Ms. Banks.