The United States Naval Hospital ship ‘Comfort’ crew, along with volunteers commit to an annual outreach mission called the Continuing Promise 2015 (CP 15) which consists of medical services and community outreach projects in selected countries. The cost of these activities is partially sponsored by LDS Charities. Jamaica was one of the stops for the project this year. The ship and crew landed on May 5, 2015 and carried out a series of activities over the period May 6th-13th, 2015.
Many dignitaries from the Jamaican Government, the U.S Ambassador to Jamaica as well as the commanding officer of the United States Naval Ship Comfort were present for the Continuing Promise opening ceremony. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was represented at the opening ceremony by The Jamaica Kingston Mission President Kevin Brown and Jamaica Stake Executive Secretary Derrick Gardner.
There were a range of activities over the duration of ship’s visit, these activities allowed members of the local church to take active part and to serve in their communities. Over thirty members had the opportunity to volunteer their time and efforts at two major sites for those wishing to receive medical services, the National Arena and Maxfield Park Health Center. Volunteers assisted in ensuring the smooth flow of activities at this site by ushering and banding patients, manning bathroom stations assisting with registration and set up of facilities.
Youth members of the church assisted with the preparation of hygiene kits prior to the ship’s arrival, over 320 of these kits were distributed by the Humanitarian service missionaries (Elder & Sister Summers) of the church as a part of the outreach activities conducted at the Rennock Lodge All Age School and the Mustard Seed: Jerusalem Centre.
Additionally, medical supply pallets provided by LDS Charities were donated to five Health care facilities in Jamaica. The recipients were:
Victoria Jubilee Hospital
Charles Chin Loy Health Center
Kingston Public Hospital
Lionel Town Hospital
Spanish Town Hospital
.jpg)
These selected facilities were very grateful for the donations. The Summers shared that “while waiting for the pallet to arrive at the Charles Chin Loy Health Center, the administrator, Ms. Bernabe, and a nurse, Margaret Michael, reviewed a list of the contents of each box being donated. There was great excitement as they saw item after item that they were in dire need of including drip sets, bandage scissors, forceps with teeth, laceration trays, catheters, needles and many other needed items”.
Lionel Town Hospital is a level 3 facility located about 1 ½ hours from Kingston. Lionel Town is an out of the way location. The CEO of the hospital, Carlton Nichols, was excited that his hospital had been one of only 5 hospitals in Jamaica chosen to receive a pallet of medical supplies.
The closing ceremony of the Continuing Promise mission in Jamaica was held on May 13th, 2015. Delegates from all the major participating agencies including Elder & Sister Summers expressed a sentiment of gratitude and satisfaction with outcome of the events but more importantly they expressed joy at the opportunity to serve and uplift others.