Sailors from the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) visited with children and their parents at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, Fiji, June 7 as part of a community outreach project during Pacific Partnership 2015.

The hospital visit was a chance for the Sailors to volunteer their time, as well as an opportunity to work with the hospital staff to lift the spirits of the families whose children were staying at the hospital, said the Lt. Mike Beasley, a Navy chaplain and the event coordinator. Sailors brought coloring books and crayons for approximately 20 children admitted to the pediatric ward, and listening ears for the families.

The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet Band woodwind quintet also visited the hospital and played a variety of world music for the children, much to the delight of the children and their families.

“Playing at the hospital was a great way to kick off the PP15 mission in Fiji,” said Musician 2nd Class Katherine Kalinowski. “It was wonderful to see the kids having fun with the music and the coloring books.”

The Colonial War Memorial Hospital is the largest hospital on Fiji according to Intern Nurse Jokapeci Tuinausara. She said she was grateful to have visitors in the ward, as they are often very busy and do not have a lot of time to entertain the children and families, many of whom stay at the hospital for several days.

The pediatric ward was filled with children ages 6 weeks to 15 years old, receiving treatment for a variety of illnesses, including fevers and respiratory and heart conditions.

“My daughter had a major asthma attack yesterday afternoon,” said Gurmeet Jaur, whose 8-year-old daughter was admitted into the hospital the previous day. “I feel very happy that the volunteers have come today… I think it is a great thing [the Sailors] are here.”

Suva, Fiji is the first mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2015 for Mercy. During the visit, a variety of community health engagements, engineering projects and community outreach projects are scheduled.

Pacific Partnership missions to date have provided medical care to approximately 270,000 patients and veterinary services to more than 38,000 animals. In addition to Fiji, PP15 is scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Vietnam.