Sailors stationed at Navy Region Singapore (NRS) volunteered at Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home, March 23, as part of a community relations project to foster positive contributions with the host nation of Singapore.

During the volunteer event, Sailors played with school children in sports such as basketball, soccer and table tennis, and spent the day assisting the staff at the children's home.

"It was a great time getting to know the children and playing soccer with them outside," said Yeoman 2nd Class Adrian Diaz, attached to Military Sealift Command Far East. "The staff was very friendly and the kids were eager to get a game going. I hope we have the opportunity to do more events like this in the future."

Navy commands fleet wide encourage Sailors to volunteer in community relations (COMREL) projects in a variety of venues, from animal shelters to trash cleanup projects. These COMREL efforts benefit local communities as well as building morale of supporting service members.

"As a productive member in the military, it is essential to be involved in the community because there is no better way to build and establish long lasting relationships," said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Michael Caldera, of Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific (COMLOG WESTPAC). "It's a humbling experience volunteering in the community especially when we are interacting with young adolescents because in my opinion the experience is a blessing and privilege. When we are called to serve our country it is more than service, it is giving back to the community we serve all around the world."

The COMLOG WESTPAC religious ministries office, consisting of Caldera and Lt. Russ Ferguson, is in charge of organizing COMREL projects, as well as reaching out to service members for volunteers.

"We are partners with five organizations here in Singapore, which helps us find volunteer work for service members," said Ferguson. "We usually hold a monthly one available to our local community, and if we have a ship pull in we will reach out to them about their interest in a COMREL event. Bringing people together for a common goal which supports the community is what it's all about, and I feel we've really accomplished that with our COMRELs."

Chen Su Lan Methodist Children's Home was established in 1968 by the Wesley Methodist Church and the Chen Su Lan Trust. In 1968, the Chen Su Lan Trust & Wesley Methodist Church came together and leased a two-acre plot of land and built the first children's home. It was made up of three brick chalets: one house for the boys, one for the girls, and one for the kitchen, office and staff sleeping quarters. The first director was a former nurse from Singapore General Hospital, Ms. Lim Cheng Kiok, whose emphasis was on spiritual life, physical health and education. The children's home cared for 19 boys and girls between 4 and 14 years old. Most of the children stayed in the home until they finished their schooling at 16 years old. Today, the children's home provides care, protection and shelter to boys and girls between 5 and 21 years old who come from needy and disadvantaged families in Singapore.

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