CJTF-HOA volunteers donate book bags with supplies to orphans

Volunteers from the English as a Second Language Team received the donations from fellow service members, family, friends and organizations including three chapters from the Federally Employed Women Organization, Department of the Leadership, Ethics and Law, U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Legal Service Office Southeast.

"The girls are eager to learn, but lack resources for language acquisition as we know it in the United States," said Army 1st Lt. Jody Glover, CJTF-HOA Cryptologic Services Group officer in charge and Signals Intelligence liaison officer.

"The writing supplies will enable them to practice dictation and repetition. The notebooks ensure continuity in their studies, so they can review their work over time. The fun treats, like markers, crayons and candy, surely make learning fun."

The volunteers visit the orphanage twice a week to teach the girls, between 7 and 13 years old, English.

"We leave for the school in the evening after a full work day, and the volunteers are usually tired, but we are always so happy we went at the end because the girls make it so worth while," said DCC Danielle Saunders, Camp Lemonier Operations emergency management officer.

By the time the team arrives to the orphanage, the girls are gathering outside the school house, and the volunteers can see the girls light up.

"The best thing about volunteering is getting to interact with the girls," said Navy Lt. Hollis Simodynes, Camp Lemonier staff judge advocate.

"Our students are genuinely interested in learning English, and they are gifted with the talent to learn new languages easily. They were a bit shy at first, but they quickly became very friendly and spirited. In one of my classes, we discussed what the girls want to be when they grow up, and many of them said they wanted to be doctors."

The enjoyment is a unanimous feeling felt by all the volunteers from Camp Lemonier supporting the CJTF-HOA mission to prevent conflict, promote regional stability and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.

"I really enjoy working with the girls," said LNCS Alicia Barnes, Camp SJA staff legalman. "Although they are less fortunate than some, their love for each other and their willingness to learn is overwhelming. They have taught me many things about themselves and their culture, which has enabled me to better understand them. I have grown close to all of them, and I will miss them when I leave."

The center is the largest orphanage in Djibouti caring for more than 325 young women and children, ages 2-22.