Two children’s homes in south and east Trinidad have been refurbished by U.S. Navy Seabees (construction units) and their counterparts from the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) as part of the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2023 mission on the USNS Burlington.
The projects at the Cyril Ross Children’s home in Tunapuna and the Islamic Home for Children, Gasparillo cost USD $14,000. The library at Cyril Ross was re-tiled, walls painted, and shelving units installed, and one hundred books for children ages 18 months to 18 years old were donated by the United States government. At the Islamic Home for Children, work included painting exterior walls and replacing and installing electrical fittings, including outdoor security lights.
Ambassador Candace Bond participated in ribbon cutting ceremonies on September 6 at Cyril Ross and on September 8 at the Islamic Home for Children. In her remarks, she reiterated that Continuing Promise 23 “reflects the United States’ enduring promise of friendship, partnership, and solidarity with Trinidad and Tobago, and exemplifies the strong bond between our two countries.
“I applaud the collaboration and cooperation between soldiers from the USNS Burlington and the TTDF, working shoulder to shoulder to deliver these community projects, which will significantly benefit the children who reside here.”
Continuing Promise 2023 marks the 13th mission to the region since 2007. Trinidad and Tobago is the third stop as part of a two-month deployment to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations in Panama, Colombia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada. The Burlington previously visited Trinidad and Tobago in 2022.