Joint Effort to Repair School Library; Troops volunteer their time, equipment and expertise for local children.
DOUDA VILLAGE, Djibouti, May 21, 2007 — The Douda village primary school received some help recently when members from Camp Lemonier helped repair the school’s library.
http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/may2007/a052107ls1.html
U.S. Army Capt. Jerord E. Wilson
Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa
The condition of the school library building was so bad and in desperate need of repairs that it was hindering student learning. Some of the repairs required were a solid floor, lighting, windows, furniture and electricity. Enter Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa servicemembers with a can-do attitude.
Ahmed Abshir, Douda Primary School principal, and U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Tim Matthews worked together to coordinate the project, including all materials and labor.
The soldiers of the 1132nd Engineer (Well Drillers) heard about the school library needing help and quickly volunteered their time, equipment and expertise. Matthews and a group of Marines coordinated the transportation of the wood and concrete needed for the repairs to the floor and roof. Once all materials and personnel were in place, work commenced with the framing of the floor and the mixing of concrete.
U.S. Army Sgt. Raphel Paniaqua operated the miniature bulldozer to expedite moving the dirt and gravel to be used as part of the concrete mix from a nearby creek bed. Keeping the concrete mixing machine going was the responsibility of U.S. Army Sgts. Phillip Lawing and Clifford Brown, and U.S. Army Spc. Bobby Keeling. Working on the library flooring was U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Rex Hipp, U.S. Army Pfc. Brandon Holt, and U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. James T. Neal. They all coordinated on the pouring of the floor and made certain that it was level before moving on to the walls and roof of the building.
Douda village Chief Ali and other village elders were on site to talk and show their support for the work being done and help coordinate local workers to assist the Camp Lemonier people. Excitement filled the air when students were released for a short break and saw the work being done on their school. The children were happy to help the Djiboutian and American workers in anyway they could with the project.
The next step for the library project is to smooth the interior walls, repair the roof and install electricity. The search for furniture will begin once construction is near completion. Plans to find bookshelves, tables and chairs are currently in the work. All amenities will help the kids enjoy the full benefit of having a library at their school.
The village elders are working closely with representatives from Camp Lemonier to make this dream a reality.
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.