Photo By Chief Petty Officer Mary Popejoy | Navy Capt. Bob Wright, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa J-9 Strategic...... read more read more
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By Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
KOUTA BOUYA, Djibouti – Personnel from Charlie Company 486th Civil Affairs Battalion and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were greeted with a traditional Djibouti dance by the students and community members of Kouta Bouya, Dec. 17, as part of the school dedication ceremony.
During the five months of renovations, the contractor, Enterprise De Constuction Go Baad, renovated three classrooms, built three new classrooms and a teacher's dormitory. The contractor also renovated the cantina, renovated the student's dormitory, built a new fence and installed an incinerator. The contractor also renovated the well and installed solar panels for all of the classrooms and the well.
"We celebrate the new educational opportunities this school will provide," said U.S. Navy Capt. Bob Wright, CJTF-HOA J-9 Strategic Communications director. "We share an appreciation for what education can accomplish. It can advance the lives of young people here today. But it can also educate a generation that will advance society, the nation and ultimately the world."
Before construction, Kouta Bouya Primary School taught children up to the 4th grade, but with three additional classrooms they'll be able to accommodate two more grades for the full complement of 1st through 6th primary grades.
"Our intent is to help better educate the people here, so we can help stabilize this region," said Technical Sgt. Marrisa Luke, CJTF-HOA J-34 Djibouti engineer. "We're here to help educate the kids for a brighter future."
Faoud, assistant commissar of Dikhil district, hopes the staff and students appreciate what the contractor, the U.S. military and the U.S. Embassy has done for them so they can continue their education.
"Please take care of this facility because the future of our kids depends on how well you treat this special gift from our friends," said Faoud.
Mohammed, Kouta Bouya Primary School director, also expressed his gratitude to the visitors who traveled four hours via sports utility vehicles to attend the ceremony.
"We appreciate your friendship and the amount of work and coordination that went into making this project successful," said Mohammed. "With two wells, drinkable water and electricity we'll be able to accept more students and prepare them for a better tomorrow."
According to Wright, peace and tolerance are values that are instilled by parents, teachers and religious leaders; and are cemented by an understanding of the world and the human condition, which is why education is essential to their lives.
"For you children, remember that knowledge and education is a priceless gift given to you by your teachers. Respect and honor them by using that gift to do great things," said Wright.
| Date Taken: | 12.19.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 12.20.2007 08:56 |
| Story ID: | 14865 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 32 |
This work, CJTF-HOA celebrates school dedication in Kouta Bouya, by CPO Mary Popejoy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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