Story by
Ensign Kim Mai Pham
USS Reuben James (FFG 57) Public Affairs

DILI, Timor-Leste – Cmdr. David Miller, commanding officer of USS Reuben James (FFG 57), and a contingent of Reuben James' Sailors presented 28 boxes of women and children's clothing and toys to the Alola Foundation during a ceremony in East Timor on Feb 22.

The ceremony was kicked off by a series of community relations projects spearheaded by Reuben James' Sailors. Immediately after the ceremony, 41 Sailors visited the Becora Orphanage to distribute toys from Project Handclasp to the children. Project Handclasp supplies were also donated to the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health.

Later in the day, the Sailors were escorted to the Villa Verde Orphanage in order to distribute the other half of the Project Handclasp toys. The children at the Villa Verde Orphanage were enthusiastic as they dug through the piles of toys and began playing on the spot. One of the children even called one of the Sailors "Santa Claus" as she tightly hugged a stuffed animal larger than herself.

After a warm welcome from the director of the orphanage, some of the Sailors played basketball with the children while others were led on an impromptu tour of the orphanage guided by several of the children. Prior to departure, the children gathered with the Sailors and began to dance and sing songs in the local language as a way to say thank you.

At the end of their visit in Timor-Leste, many Reuben James Sailors felt that they had made a difference in the lives of the children they visited. However, it was apparent that in many cases the children had made more of a lasting impact on the Sailors.

"It was a very different experience than anything I've ever participated in and this has inspired me to partake in similar events in the future whenever the opportunity presents itself," said Fire Controlman 3rd Class William Harvey.

The Alola Foundation donation consisted of donations gathered through the U.S. 7th Fleet Spouses Association led by Nonie Bird, wife of the commander of the Navy's U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. John Bird.