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CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti - The Children's Summer Mission Project, a church group consisting of 150 children from ages two to 12 years old, collected a total of 285 pairs of flip-flops. The items were shipped to the camp's chapel by Linda Simino from the United Methodist Church in Manchester, Mo. Simino's son, Navy Construction Electrician 3rd Class Jacob Simino, was assigned to Camp Lemonier until August.
"This was such a great mission project for our children's Sunday school," said Simino. "Families brought in bags of flip-flops, which we collected in a large red wagon."
Camp Lemonier's chapel receives many different types of donations, and distributes them to various organizations, churches and orphanages. The Missouri delivery was one of many.
"Service members who go on community outreach events usually inform their hometowns of donation needs," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Kenny Mills, a religious programs specialist and San Diego, Calif. native.
The 374th Comptroller Squadron from Yokota Air Base also contributed to the total by collecting 714 pairs of shoes.
"It was definitely an experience I will never forget," said Keller-Griffin, the president of Camp Lemonier's Echo-6 Association of Hilo, Hawaii. "My heart went out to every person I came in contact with, especially the children."
Echo-6, an association of Camp Lemonier service members at the paygrade of E-6, promotes a spirit of camaraderie amongst the four U.S. military services working together here. The association plays a role in donating books, clothes and shoes, among other tangible items to the Djiboutian community.
"I was very excited about helping the Djiboutian locals," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tyrone L. Shannon, from Albemarle, N.C. "It was a rush of excitement."
"The highlight of the event for me was seeing a 4-year-old girl's face light up when I handed her a pair of flip-flops," said Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sonia Liverpool, a master-at-arms from Fajardo, P.R. "She kept pointing amongst the shoes for the pair that caught her eye. When I finally grabbed the pair she wanted, her eyes lit up and there it was, the brightest smile ever."
Djiboutians living in Djibouti City's District Seven neighborhood live side-by-side with ethnic Somali and Ethiopian villagers. Kennedid Osman, a Djiboutian national, working as an interpreter on behalf of the Puerto Rico National Guard here, has been trying to help this neighborhood for several years.
"We would like to get more support for these families and others like them from anyone who can help," said Osman. "They are also in desperate need of clothes."
This donation comes at the end of Ramadan during the Eid when the Muslim families give gifts.
"We were helping them by not only providing foot protection, but hope for that moment," said Petty Officer 1st Class Cortez Y. Keel, a master-st-arms from Harvey, Ill. "As they were waiving good-bye with a smile of appreciation, I felt proud to represent the United States."
The mission of CJTF-HOA, headquartered in Djibouti, is to conduct unified action with local military forces and government representatives in the Horn of Africa to prevent conflict, promote regional stability, and protect coalition interests in order to prevail against extremist activities.
The service members of CJTF-HOA, headquartered in Djibouti, focus on fostering regional security capacity, improving maritime security and safety, and developing military leaders through professional military education and training.
| Date Taken: | 09.18.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.18.2009 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 38963 |
| Location: | CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ |
| Web Views: | 588 |
| Downloads: | 539 |
This work, Camp Lemonier servicemembers deliver footwear in Djibouti, by MSgt Carlotta Holley, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
