U.S. Marines, Sailors Clean Up Local School. Servicemembers give students a better place to learn.
DJIBOUTI CITY, Djibouti, Feb. 20, 2007 — Focused on making a difference for the 1,000 school children at Ecole du Stade Primary school near the Balballa area, U.S. Marine Capt. Christopher Roberson, in cooperation with Combat Logistics Battalion 26 and Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa, worked intensely over two days to transform this local school into a positive environment for students.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/feb2007/a022007sj1.html
By Angela Scherbenske
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa
The group of approximately 100 Marines worked on painting the outside of the school and built a wooden fence around the schoolyard. They also cleaned up trash and a large area of dirty water and contaminants which was in the schoolyard, according to Roberson.
“One of our (26th Marine Expeditionary Unit) missions is to work with the local communities by doing outreach programs with them; the trip to this school (Ecole du Stade) was just one of many projects I have been a part of, but I was still affected by the work my fellow Marines, as well as the sailors who assisted us, were able to accomplish there,” he added.
This project also included the assistance of a group of specialty professionals, such as tree trimmers and engineers, who returned to the school Feb. 13 and 14.
“I felt like we were a part of creating a more permanent solution for the individuals that we were able to assist during our time here at Camp Lemonier. The children made us feel like we were the star football players running onto the field,” said Roberson.
The final touches were created as the captain and his fellow Marines and sailors painted the Djibouti flag on the playground tires. A soccer game followed the hard work and school cleanup.
After the completion of the cleanup project, the local Parent Teacher’s Association held a small ceremony honoring the men and women for their humanitarian efforts at the Ecole du Stade school. The Marines and sailors were also presented with a thank-you letter.
The mission of CJTF-HOA is to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect Coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism. The CJTF-HOA organization began operations at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, May 13, 2003. It works with partner nations on humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, consequence management, civic action programs to include medical and veterinary care, school and medical clinic construction and water development projects.