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Seabees Act as Ambassadors of Compassion in Horn of Africa

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060630-04
Release Date: 6/30/2006 11:22:00 AM

By Chief Journalist Jeffrey J. Pierce, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Public Affairs

DIKHIL, Djibouti (NNS) -- Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 offered a helping hand to the children and parents of the Dikhil region by constructing a school dormitory facility here in June.

As part of their mission for the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) site at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, these Seabees were dispatched to the town of Dikhil to help the local citizens there.

“Now, the kids will have a place they will be able to live in a safe environment right next door to the school itself,” said Utilitiesman 1st Class James Penney. “This facility will help alleviate the cost and burden on the town for the care and housing of the school kids.”

Before the dormitory facility was constructed, children from families all around the region were required to walk for many miles or be housed by friends and family for months at a time to attend the school in town. Now the children will be together under the care and supervision of school officials throughout the school year, which will allow the children to form relationships with one another in a new way.

The Seabees of NMCB 7 erected separate dormitories for the boys and girls as well as a shower facility for both structures. They have completed the foundations, walls, windows, and doorways, with only the lighting and finishing items remaining for fit and inspection. The project will be completed in early July as NMCB 7 nears the end of their deployment.

“Helping to build community is what it is all about,” said Battalion Chaplain Lt. Martie Johnson. “In my short time here with our Seabees, I have watched the people of Dikhil embrace our Seabees and their work. It is amazing to see the effect of mutual cooperation and support between our Seabees and the people of Dikhill. I think all parents love and care about their children and education. It has been a special treat to be part of the bond developed between the mayor, the Djiboutian army, and our Seabees here.”

Utilitiesman 2nd Class (UT2) Josener Jean Louis, who was born in Haiti and speaks both French and English, is one of the critical components of the success in Dikhil. Project site leader Penny remarked, “We are certainly here to get this construction project done, and it is just as important how we achieve it. We are here to make a connection with the hearts and minds of Djiboutian people, and UT2 Jean Louis, without a doubt, has been invaluable in our ability to do that.”

In this humanitarian mission, the Seabees work in direct support of anti-terrorism actions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Helping people stand on their own while improving quality of life is a real part of the mandate that created Naval Mobile Construction Battalions.

In addition to supporting Marines and Sailors as warfighters all over the U.S. Central Command area of operations and Southwest Asia, Seabees are part of the Navy’s new Naval Expeditionary Combat Command and are often tasked with making an impact in the community.