Seabees Begin Construction to Further Educational Opportunities in Timor-Leste

Photo By Lt. Eric Fallon | 210219-N-AQ438-1004 BAUCAU, Timor-Leste (Feb. 13, 2021) Equipment Operator Jacob Licea, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4, utilizes the skidsteer to conduct earthwork to begin the foundation of the three-room schoolhouse in Seical. NMCB-4 is forward deployed throughout the Indo-Pacific region and United States ready to support major combat operations, theater security, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations. Seabees provide general engineering and civil support to Navy, Marine Corps and joint operational forces globally. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder 2nd Class Brian Slocum/Released)  

BAUCAU, EAST TIMOR

03.09.2021

Courtesy Story

Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4

BAUCAU, Timor-Leste - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4 began construction of a three-room schoolhouse to enhance the educational opportunities of the youth of Timor-Leste on November 30, 2020.

The new school construction project consists of three independent classrooms and will serve 1,500 students. A four-room schoolhouse on another campus in Baucau is planned for future construction.

“Since being deployed in Timor-Leste the citizens have greeted our service members very warmly and with great enthusiasm,” said Steelworker 2nd Class Montrael Jackson, Squad Leader Detail Timor-Leste. “As U.S. Navy Seabees, we build schools for their future leaders. I feel very honored to continue the 11-year tradition of efforts to establish a bedrock for future generations of a very gracious and highly resilient population.”

For more than 10 years, the Seabees have deployed to Timor-Leste and completed 101 construction projects. The current construction strengthens the relationship between the United States and Timor-Leste and provides vital infrastructure. In a country where 70% of the population is below 30 and the economy is largely centralized in the capital, Dili, constructing these school houses provides resources for Baucau, Timor-Leste’s second largest city with a population of approximately 16,000.

“Working in Timor-Leste is a privilege,” said Builder 2nd Class Amy Wise, project supervisor of Detail Timor-Leste. “Going to the jobsite and seeing the children’s smiling faces, make all the long days and hard work worth it. Being able to give the Timorese people and children a safe place to learn is something I will forever cherish”.

• Date Taken: 03.09.2021
• Date Posted: 03.18.2021 02:45
• Story ID: 391561
• Location: BAUCAU, TL