October 26, 2023
U.S. Ambassador to Estonia George P. Kent visited the Lepatriinu Kindergarten in Rummu on October 25, 2023, to demonstrate continued support for the partnership established through the Humanitarian Assistance program of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. European Command (EUCOM). Through the Humanitarian Assistance program, in cooperation with local governments and coordinated by the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, renovations totaling $786,000 were made to the school. During his visit, Ambassador Kent toured the school, met with one of the school’s longtime teachers, and inspected the improvements made.
The renovation project, completed in April 2022, included interior and exterior renovations, the addition of insulation and a ventilation system, new windows, and a new roof for the kindergarten serving approximately 100 children aged 2-7. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supervised the project and contracted with a local Estonian company to complete work, while DoD and EUCOM provided funding for the renovation project.
The Office of Defense Cooperation administers the DoD’s Humanitarian Assistance program in Estonia and, since 2012, has completed more than a dozen projects in Estonia, totaling over $4 million. These projects have covered a wide range of public services, including education, medical, and mine assistance support.
