VP-26 'Tridents' visit local Djiboutian school

The children giggled with excitement as the volunteers were introduced and they had no qualms about the language barrier (French is the primary language of Djibouti). The younger children looked on intently as coloring books and craft supplies were distributed.

They smiled bashfully as eye contact was made with their new visitors. The shyness was fleeting once the activities began.

"Messieurs, messieurs" could be heard throughout the class rooms as each student vied for the attention of the volunteers, eager to show their progress on coloring pictures and carefully assembled necklaces.

To the delight of the children, at least one Sailor recalled some French from long-ago high school courses, enabling a warm greeting and some creative conversations.

Sailors from VP-26 play a game of soccer with children at a local Djiboutian school during a Camp Lemonier Community Assistant Volunteers excursion Feb. 13 during their deployment to the Horn of Africa.

The older children enjoyed playing volleyball and soccer, proving very eager to demonstrate their competitive spirit and athletic talent to their new friends. Digital cameras provided instant gratification for many of the children. Seeing their picture on the screen immediately after they were taken brought many smiles.

The few hours spent singing, playing and doing projects passed all too quickly for everyone involved. The volunteers were humbled by the resilience of the children and clearly enjoyed the exchange.

"Playing with the kids was the best . . . seeing that children here like the same things that we did when we were growing up - like coloring and paper airplanes - really hit home," said Petty Officer Chris Harrison.

This was the first Tridents visit to the school and the second for Camp Lemonier CAV. For many of the volunteers, unsure of what to expect, the realization of the extreme poverty was prevalent during the transit to the school.

"It was an eye-opening experience," Harrison said, recalling the trip from Camp Lemonier toward the city. Mounds of garbage accumulated over time, lined the roadsides. Shacks made of tin and whatever material might be useful to keep out the weather, were erected in the middle of vacant lots with small groups of people sitting in front.

Upgrades at Camp Lemonier Photo by Vince Crawley General William Ward, commander of U.S. Africa Command, talks to civilian and military personnel at Camp Lemonier after the opening of the new $33.6 million aircraft parking apron and full-length taxiways. Ward presided over the Feb. 10 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new "Enduring Ramp" airport improvement project.

Mohamed, a teacher at the school, indicated that he has taught there for more than 15 years.

"It is an important job," he said. In a country that has a 67 percent literacy rate, "Teaching the children is very important and we thank you for coming to see us."

The Tridents plan to continue their involvement with CAV, providing additional support and supplies toward future engagements with their host nation.

Camp Lemonier is the headquarters of the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).

Approximately 2,000 U.S. and international personnel are assigned to CJTF-HOA, which works with the nations of East Africa on regional security programs.