Posted on 09/19/2005 12:55:07 PM PDT by La Enchiladita
Djibouti City, Djibouti- When a handful of Marines show up at a school in this African city equipped with tools, paintbrushes and building materials, their mission is clear: help the children.
Servicemembers stationed in Djibouti as part of the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa routinely take part in community outreach programs to help the local citizens. Their endeavors often involve schools and orphanages, but they help improve other aspects of Djiboutian life as well. Many volunteers work during their free time, and it can be a very rewarding experience.
"I had never done humanitarian work before," said Lance Cpl. Justin Kuhnhausen, a Marine with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit . "I wanted to see what it would be like to go out and make a difference and help people who are less fortunate than myself. It was an experience I’ll never forget."
One school that has benefited from their labor is part of an orphanage for girls, about 100 of whom live there during the school year. Some of the girls go to visit relatives during the summer months when there are no classes to attend. Others, with no family, reside at the orphanage year-round.
Religious Programs specialist 2nd Class (RP2) Eric Fournier, a member of the Navy who works at the chaplain’s office in Djibouti and organizes outreach events, knows how much the efforts of servicemembers mean to these children.
“The work that we’re doing here is actually really important,” said Fournier. “This is a big deal to the Djiboutian country and CJTF-HOA.”
Djiboutian President Ismail Umar Guelleh also has an interest in the orphanage, said Fournier. He sends some of the girls from the school to college.
The work on the community outreach programs typically involves cleaning, painting, and small repairs.
“We’re just trying to beautify (the orphanage) and make it livable,” said Fournier.
Fournier was surprised to learn about the humanitarian mission in Djibouti and the Horn of Africa.
“I never expected anything like this happened in Africa at all,” he said. “I first heard about this place when I got my orders. It was the first time I heard about Djibouti, Africa. Now that I’ve been here, I love it. It’s a great place.”
God bless'em. This is another good story you won't see hardly anywhere.
I believe that France has had a military presence in Djibouti for generations.
Why couldn't the Legionnaires have tidied up the place?
A few good men (and women)...
Can't be true...they are all Vietnam Baby Killers! /sarcasm
Our troops are the BEST in the world, aren't they?
"I believe that France has had a military presence in Djibouti for generations.
Why couldn't the Legionnaires have tidied up the place?"
This is a good question. I have talked to a man from Djibouti on the internet, and he tells me that 96% of all men in Djibouti are on KHAT, a drug that they chew. About half of all women are chewing KHAT. These are a people with no hope, no jobs. A plane load of KHAT comes into the city of Djibouti every day about noon time. I was told that if this plane does not come in on time ( near noon) there will be insurection. These are poor people about which we can do nothing about the root cause of poverty. We can try until we are bankrupt ourselves. We do not control the government of Djibouti, and we have to face up to that.
This is why we need to stand for them on the homefront. If we can't go to D.C. this coming weekend, then start having support rallies in our towns. Let's advocate for them every way we can.
You could probably enquire at the State Dept. website for facts on Djibouti and what our involvement entails. If it looks like a losing proposition, let us know so we can contact our legislators. Just a thought ...
Not what my wife's former student, a Marine Reservist pulled from his teaching job and sent there, says. He calls it the "armpit of the world". He also compared it unfavorably to Iraq, even though they (mostly) aren't getting shot at or bombed there.
Heh-Heh, I can se it now: KHAT-woman.
Waht would Halle Berry think/say??
U.S. Marines, French Foreign Legion Join in Training
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2003/n09172003_200309179.html
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