Boro Seaman Sails In To Help Rebuild Haiti

By Catherine Manzione

Navy Seaman Kareem Clarke is a Jamaica, Queens native who joined the Navy two years ago for the “education, travel, and diversity.” Clarke’s usual job in the Navy is to work as a ship’s serviceman where he “services the crew’s basic needs on a day to day basis.” Working as a ship’s serviceman usually requires Clarke to work in different places such as the ship’s offices, stores, and barber shops.

Seaman Kareem Clarke of the US Navy, a Jamaica native, is in Haiti assisting in the Naval rehab mission in the earthquake-ravaged country.
However, on Jan. 18, Clarke’s usual duties as a ship’s serviceman changed when he was deployed to Haiti on the USS Bataan after the tragic earthquake that occurred Jan.12. Clarke said when he first arrived in Haiti it was destroyed and “extremely poverty stricken with bodies everywhere.” The food supply was very scarce and the water wasn’t clean. Everywhere you looked, you saw bodies and rubble, Clarke said. On top of his regular serviceman duties, Clarke is helping to “rebuild the city and distribute food and water to the people.”

Clarke said that since his arrival, the conditions have gotten better, but it is important that people still continue to aid Haiti until the nation is fully on its feet. With all the relief effort they are receiving, Haiti is starting to rebuild slowly but surely looking better and better each day.

“Haiti looks alive and a lot brighter,” Clarke said. “The Haitians are working together with the UN to rebuild the nation. Even the people look happier and the island is starting to get back on its feet.”

Clarke described his time being in Haiti as “a life changing experience” that will forever stick with him. The assistance that the Navy is providing for Haiti shows a more humanitarian side to the Navy that most people don’t see. Clarke said that seeing the smiles on the people’s faces “makes me feel really good because I can tell how truly appreciative they are towards the help they are receiving.”

“Overall, Operation Unified Response has been a success,” Clarke said. Although it is not determined how much longer Clarke will be in Haiti, he said he’s looking forward to returning home. “But I have to finish the mission first.”

Reach Intern Catherine Manzione at cmanzione@queenstribune.com or (718)357-7400, Ext.124.