CJTF-HOA volunteers donate book bags with supplies to orphans

Photo By Master Sgt. Jennifer Redente | Navy Senior Chief Legalman Alicia Barnes hands a book bag containing school supplies, flip flops, soap, shampoo and treats to a young girl at The Center for the Protection of Women and Children, the largest orphanage in Djibouti caring for more than 325 young women and children, ages 2-22. Barnes is the staff legalman for Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, Staff Judge Advocate. The New York native is deployed from Naval Legal Service Office Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla.  

01.27.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente 

Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa

By Air Force Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
CJTF-HOA Public Affairs

DJIBOUTI – Female service members from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa donated more than 50 book bags containing school supplies, flip flops, shampoo, soap and treats to girls at Center Aicha Bogoreh in Djibouti Jan. 27.

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, the 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 L. 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 Navy Chief damage controlman Danielle L. 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 N. 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, protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremism.

"I really enjoy working with the girls," said Navy Senior Chief Legalman 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.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2008
• Date Posted: 01.31.2008 05:08
• Story ID: 15932