Seafarers and officers aboard Pronav's LNG vessels historically have provided charitable assistance to poor and needy populations near ports of call where they anchor. Members of the SIU and American Maritime Officers (AMO) aboard three LNG vessels on Feb. 12 were recognized for their humanitarian efforts and continued support of the local people who live near the port of Bontang in Borneo, Indonesia. According to Chief Mate John Gomard, an SIU hawsepiper aboard the LNG Virgo, SIU and AMO members from the LNG Capricorn, LNG Taurus and his vessel collected donations totaling $3,300 for dispersal to the people of Borneo. The funds are being distributed to assist rural schools, public health centers and to provide food and clothing for the poor.
Gomard represented the crews from the three vessels at a ceremony which took place at a local public health center where food packages would be distributed. It was followed by a visit to a local school where previous donations had been sent.
"When I arrived (at the health center), it was amazing to see hundreds of people gathered - clinic doctors, nurses, local people, a news spokesperson and lots of children," Gomard said, "I couldn't help but notice that many of the children were wearing Osama bin Laden T-shirts."
Shortly after his arrival, he toured the facilities. "I had the pleasure of handing out about 150 food packages to the poor and needy," Gomard said. "Each bag contained about 4½ pounds of rice, 1¼ pounds of sugar, three bags of noodles, one quart of cooking oil and meat from sacrificed livestock. The people all were very thankful and the children were all smiles. It was a great feeling to know that we (crew members from the LNG vessels) were helping those who had so very little."
After talking with doctors, nurses, some of the locals at the facility and playing soccer with the children, Gomard was off to see the school, located some 18 miles from town.
Following an eventful journey - which among other things included getting their vehicle stuck in the mud on a dirt road - Gomard and his guide arrived at the school. They were greeted both by teachers and children; no classes were in session because it was a holiday.
"They showed me the desks, books and supplies that crew members from the ships had helped to provide and gave me a tour of the school and classrooms," Gomard said. "The school was not much to look at in contrast to our schools back home, but it was a school nonetheless. Who knows what will blossom in the students' young minds."
The former Seafarer concluded, "As I left the school and waved goodbye to the teachers and small group of children, I felt very proud to have represented the LNG ships and their combined and continuing humanitarian aid. It was rewarding to have seen some of the many people that were helped."
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