Photo By Tech. Sgt. Nic Raven | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Sanford Holman, deputy commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn...... read more read more
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By Army Sgt. Charles Anthony Siler
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- Local community leaders joined U.S. agency and military officials in celebrating the Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 40's completion of renovations and construction at the Abijot Emerja Primary School during a dedication celebration held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Nov. 20.
The students of the Abijot Emerja Primary School will now have the opportunity to learn in more adequate facilities, thanks to the project which was developed by the U.S. Agency for International Development.
"Today, we are celebrating more than just the opening of a school; we are celebrating the power of partnership," said Nancy Estes, USAID representative. "When spiders work alone they can't accomplish much, but when spiders work together they can really tie up a lion. And that is what we have done today, because this project has brought together the skills and resources of USAID, the Combined Joint Task Force, Horn of Africa and the Department of State. It shows us the importance and the efficiency we get when our U.S. agencies work together to better the lives of the Ethiopian people. It also highlights the important partnership between the U.S. and Ethiopia, the teachers and students, between school management and community leaders. Altogether, we have tied up a lion today."
The United States through multiple agencies and the U.S. military based in Djibouti came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the invitation of the Ethiopian government to improve the local education facilities.
"During the past summer, the prime minister and the government of Ethiopia have asked that we do more feeding programs for students and also for the urban poor and the United States has been the only country to come forward and meet that request," said Donald Yamamamoto, U.S. ambassador to Ethiopia. "This facility, which will benefit 1,200 students, is really just a symbol of what we can do in partnership."
The Seabees of the Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 40 stationed on Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, refurbished a large meeting room, and built three buildings from the ground up; a library, administrative offices and a modern lavatory.
"We built an administration building with four small offices and two bigger offices for the principal and vice-principal," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Randy Rivera, the crew leader of the Seabees working on the school. "We built a library for the kids, and we built a latrine with two sinks and lavatory toilets."
The new and improved primary school will allow the faculty to not only enroll more students, but it will enable them to keep the students they have.
"We have had a problem with a lot of students dropping out of school because they haven't had the right materials," said Abdulwasie Nessirei, an English teacher at the Abijot Emerja Primary School. "Now they do have a chance to have the materials and they will stay."
"The biggest challenge is that we haven't had much of the materials or much of the buildings, but now we have a library and we have a toilet so that the kids will have a better facility. We couldn't even separate the women from the boys, and now we can and have a better way to keep our hygiene."
While the Seabees constructed the facilities, USAID coordinated the acquisition of new furniture and supplies for the school.
"To help the Abiot Emejra Primary School, USAID has contributed new furniture, including desks and tables and chairs, lockers and shelving and new latrines; and we've also provided training for water and sanitation," said Estes. "And I want you to know that the American people over the last 12 years have provided more than $160 million for the education in Ethiopia."
USAID also provided more than just learning supplies; they also provided equipment which will enable the administration to manage the affairs of the school more efficiently.
"The students haven't had much of a library, but now we have a chance to use a library as well as books," said Nessirei. "And we are now going to be fully equipped by USAID with computers and office materials and everything."
"I think the long-term benefit will be the American and USAID commitment to help Ethiopia; for the children that they will have a better education, a better library and a better way of (improving) themselves. The Ethiopians will also have a better relationship with Americans in the development of education in Africa."
The American and Ethiopian bond has been strengthened over the years through inter-agency projects throughout the country, as well as civil-military assistance and military-to-military training with the servicememebers stationed at Camp Lemonier and the military of Ethiopia.
"I am so proud that our military has given me the opportunity to work side-by-side with you, the Ethiopian Government and the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, along with the U.S. Embassy and USAID, on projects throughout your country that improve the quality of life for all Ethiopians, and especially the lives of the children of Ethiopia," said Brig. Gen. Sanford Holman, deputy commander for the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa. "It is my sincere hope and belief that this partnership will help pave the way for a prosperous future.
"Here our Navy Mobile Construction Battalion has improved the quality of the Abijot Emerja Primary School facilities; but all we did was build a few walls and a roof or two. These walls can't teach the children of Addis Ababa. It is the educators of today who hold the responsibility for shaping the leaders of tomorrow and the future of Ethiopia, and it is an opportunity for this community to make this project a true success."
The dedication ceremony included a ribbon cutting, dance and music performances by the students and local musicians, refreshments and a traditional coffee serving, and a tour of the facilities for the project leaders.
| Date Taken: | 11.27.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2007 02:29 |
| Story ID: | 14246 |
| Location: | ADDIS ABABA, ET |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 102 |
This work, Community celebrates the dedication of a primary school in Ethiopia, by SGT Charles Siler, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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