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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa service members deliver chairs to the Hali English center on Oct. 20, 2023, at Djibouti, Djibouti. The CJTF-HOA civil affairs team does regular engagements with local Djiboutians to build relationships with the community. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa service members remove damaged desks from the Annex 3 School in Balbala, Djibouti on Oct. 29, 2023. The Civil Affairs East Africa Team and 1782nd Engineer Support Company lead CJTF-HOA’s desk rejuvenation effort for schools around Djibouti. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: Sgt. Jalen Miller
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
U.S. Army Sgt. Trey Jefferies and U.S. Army Sgt. Pedro Cruz, Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Civil Affairs East Africa team members, sand and paint refurbished desks at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Oct. 10, 2023. The desks were repaired by the 294th Engineer Support Company as a part of the CJTF-HOA led Desk Rejuvenation Project. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: Sgt. Jalen Miller
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Civil Affairs East Africa team members deliver refurbished desks to the Annex 3 School in Balbala, Djibouti Oct. 29, 2023. The Desk Rejuvenation Project is a program started by Civil Affairs personnel and the CJTF-HOA Engineer Support Company to fix and deliver desks to local Djiboutian schools. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: Sgt. Jalen Miller
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
U.S. Army Sgt. Pedro Cruz, a CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs East Africa team member, delivers refurbished desks at the Annex 3 School in Balbala, Djibouti Oct. 29. 2023. The Civil Affairs East Africa Team and 1782nd Engineer Support Company refurbishes desks and chairs as part of an ongoing project with local Djiboutian schools. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: Sgt. Jalen Miller
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
U.S. Army Sgt. Trey Jefferies, CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs East Africa Team member, and 1782nd Engineer Support Company soldiers deliver refurbished desks to the Annex 3 School in Balbala, Djibouti on Oct. 29, 2023. The Civil Affairs East Africa Team and 1782nd ESC lead CJTF-HOA’s Desk Rejuvenation Project for schools around Djibouti. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Jalen Miller)
Photo by: Sgt. Jalen Miller
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Bisi Akindele, CJTF-HOA Senior Healthcare NCO, speaks with Kamil Mohamed, the Headmaster of Hali English Center, during a chair drop-off to the school on Oct. 20, 2023, at Djibouti City, Djibouti. The CJTF-HOA civil affairs team refurbishes desks and chairs as part of an ongoing project with local Djiboutian schools. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
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CJTF-HOA Leads Desk Rejuvenation Project throughout Djibouti
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa service members post for a group photo with instructors from the Hali English Language Center after dropping off donated chairs on Oct. 20, 2023, at Djibouti City, Djibouti. The CJTF-HOA civil affairs team does regular engagements with local Djiboutians to build relationships with the community. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile)
Photo by: Staff Sgt. Dylan Gentile
Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) engineers and civil affairs service members delivered refurbished desks and chairs to schools throughout Djibouti as part of their Desk Rejuvenation Project (DRP).
The DRP is a small, yet self-sustaining mission that’s been carried out by the civil affairs and engineering battalions of CJTF-HOA during the past year. The project focuses on creating a comfortable learning experience for students across Djibouti.
U.S. Army SFC Josh Barnett, 294th Engineer Support Company (ESC) member, was the project lead for the ESC’s portion of the desk program. Barnett led ESC service members on rebuilding broken chairs and refurbishing and sanding desk pieces to help make the desks they gather look good as new.
“It’s easy, it doesn't cost too much and it really helps the city out,” said Barnett. “The kids love the work we do and so do the teachers”.
The 294th ESC and former Alpha Company Civil Affairs Battalion refurbished and delivered approximately 400 desks to four schools across the country.
Earlier this month, they passed their mission and the DRP to the 1782nd ESC, who began making desk deliveries to both the Hali English Institute and the Annex 3 School. Their most recent delivery took place in October during which they delivered 15 refurbished desks for children at the Annex 3 School in the Balbala district of Djibouti City.
“We’ve delivered a lot of desks already,” said Barnett. “At Annex 3, we were even able to help build new swings for their playground to really help these kids have a more enjoyable learning environment. The headmasters’ are always super thankful when we come by, which makes it all the more worthwhile.”
Kamil Mohumed, Hali English Language Center CEO and Headmaster, shared this sentiment. Kamil works with Civil Affairs as a translator and hosts English Discussion groups for all ages out of his school. He’s been outspoken within the Djibouti community about the positive work that comes from the presence of U.S. military personnel in the country.
“I started my center off very small and provided some of my own chairs and desks for the students,” said Kamil. “Now, thanks to Civil Affairs, I’m able to see my school grow. The work they do is really good for my community.”
U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel work as the primary liaison between the Army and non-U.S. populations. In Djibouti, the Civil Affairs East Africa Team spends their weeks planning and organizing ways to engage and coordinate cross-national events and cultural exchanges between CJTF-HOA’s partners and the Djiboutian community.
U.S. Army Sgt. Trey Jefferies, CJTF-HOA Civil Affairs East Africa Team member, explained that while dropping off new desks might seem like a small win, these projects have helped improve conditions at local schools considerably and helped foster a bond between U.S. personnel and the local community.
“When we see there’s a need at these schools, it’s always great to be able to help fill that need,” said Jefferies. “As civil affairs personnel we try to really get involved in these communities and especially try to do things for the youth since they are the future.”
When their deployment is up, the 1782nd ESC and the current Civil Affairs East Africa Team will be replaced by new companies and personnel just as they replaced the 294th ESC and previous Civil Affairs team. However, just as each new team has made their own mark on Camp Lemonnier and the region, the DRP will remain an enduring legacy of Camp Lemonnier’s ongoing humanitarian efforts in the Horn of Africa.
