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NMCB 11 Builds Foundation For Comoros Education

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090314-05
Release Date: 3/14/2009 8:26:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erick S. Holmes

MORONI, Comoros (NNS) -- Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 11, based in Gulfport, Miss., are currently building new facilities at the Hamramba Primary School in Moroni, Comoros.

Once completed, the school will be the second primary school available to the people of Moroni.

Working in heat and rain seven days a week, the crew members explained they keep motivated because the hard work will benefit the Comorans.

"No matter how long the hours or hard the work, it's worth in the end," said Builder 3rd Class Roylander J. Williams, Jr., a project crew member. "The education will change the lives of the youths in Moroni."

The Hamramba Primary School is one of four schools, in three countries, that NMCB 11 is working on while assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) area of responsibility.

"We asked for help and the Americans were the first to respond," said Mohamed Ali Mgonri, headmaster for Hamramba Primary School. "It's great having people help. The impact of the work is [of] much value to Comoran people.

"The Comorans I have spoken to are excited to have this school," said Builder Constructionman Benjamin B. Highfield, a project crew member. "After they finish their schooling here, they want to go to the United States, or to France, to continue a higher education."

"Part of the Seabee [ethos] is we build with compassion for others,'" Highfield explained. "It's what we do and I love doing it. We got to get out there and do the job, even if it means getting dirty and staying late," Highfield said.

While NMCB 11 focuses on pouring concrete and bringing columns and walls to life for the schoolhouse, Comoran engineers have begun working side-by-side with the Seabees.

"The experience with Seabees and with the way they work is valuable," said Mgonri. "I feel help should always be like this. This will be the model of all schools on island, with a new perspective and look on reality and education."

The service members of CJTF-HOA, headquartered in Djibouti, employ an indirect approach to counter violent extremism. Through a strategy of cooperative conflict prevention the task force helps build the internal capacities of countries at risk to prevail against extremists exploiting instability.

For more news from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 11, visit www.navy.mil/local/nmcb11.