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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
Mar 19, 2010 - 6:16:21 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| Manda Bay Primary School children sit during the dedication ceremony held by the Manda Bay community and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and roof that was about to collapse. The contractor replaced the dilapidated building with two, five-classroom buildings with storerooms, two four-stall, dry-pit latrine facilities and an administrative building, surrounded with perimeter security fencing. Additional improvements included clearing grounds for three courts, so children will be able to play volleyball, soccer and netball. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
MANDA ISLAND, Lamu District, Kenya - Members of the Manda Bay community and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa held a dedication for Manda Bay Primary School on Feb. 18 celebrating the completion of the school's new facilities assisting in educating Kenya's future leaders.
Manda Bay's pre-existing schoolhouse presented a danger to the students and teachers due the poor structure, which had been threatened to be closed down by Kenyan authorities because of the unstable columns supporting the roof, as well as a faulty foundation.
More than 200 residents of the Lamu District attended the dedication to celebrate the completion of the school.
Community leaders who spoke at the event included Kennedy Sakwa, Lamu District Education Officer, George Omolo, Lamu District Commissioner representative, and Issa Kibwana, Manda Bay Primary School head teacher who spoke about their appreciation to the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14 and the United States for the assistance in providing a safe facility for the children and staff.
"Thanks to the American government, today Manda can stand tall and strive for a better future," said Issa Kibwana, Manda Bay Primary School head teacher.
Before the school's construction, there were 103 students enrolled. With the new, safe environment of the newly-constructed facilities, there are 177 students enrolled in the primary school.
"The United States, with the assistance of the civil affairs team, has done a wonderful job, and we really appreciate it," said Kibwana.
CJTF-HOA began planning and coordinating to demolish the existing eight-classroom building, storeroom, and boys' and girls' latrines in 2006, for the only primary school on Manda Island. The nomination was then submitted in 2007, where a contractor was selected for the project.
In August, the dilapidated buildings were demolished to make room for a safe and secure educational environment. The project was overseen by the CJTF-HOA Operations engineer for Kenya.
"A part of CJTF-HOA's mission is to stabilize the region by bringing education to the children," said Navy Lt. Marcia C. Fernandes, CJTF-HOA Operations engineer for Kenya. "Children were still attending the school even though it wasn't safe. Some parents elected to send their children to other islands to live with family members, so they could attend safer school structures."
Construction of two new, five-classroom buildings with storerooms, two four-stall, dry-pit latrine facilities and an administrative building, surrounded with perimeter security fencing, were completed in January.
Additional improvements to the school grounds included renovating the staff's two-stall, dry-pit latrine and clearing grounds for three courts, so children will be able to play volleyball, soccer and netball - an addition to the school grounds, which had no playgrounds prior to the construction.
Navy Capt. Brian R. Hastings, CJTF-HOA Strategic Communications director, spoke during the dedication on behalf CJTF-HOA and Navy Rear Admr. Philip H. Greene Jr., CJTF-HOA commander, to address the Manda Bay community on the importance of education and the relationship with Kenya and the United States.
"We celebrate the partnership between CJTF-HOA and the people of Manda Bay Primary School," said Hastings. "Working with Kenya, this project is an excellent example of how Americans and Kenyans partner to promote peace and stability.
"We celebrate the new educational opportunities this school will provide," he said. "We share an appreciation for what education can accomplish. Yes, it can advance the lives of the young people here today, but it can also educate a generation that will advance society, the nation and ultimately the world."
Hastings highlighted on the importance of education and welfare of the Kenyan youth and future generations. He concluded his remarks with speaking to the children.
"Education is a priceless gift, and I ask you, the children, to remember the education you receive is from your parents, teachers, Kenya and the United States," Hastings said. "Honor them by creating a better place in the world."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| Navy Capt. John R. Andresen, shows Manda Bay Primary School students a photo of them on his camera. Andresen and members from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa were visiting with students and faculty members prior to the dedication ceremony held by the Manda Bay community and CJTF-HOA Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and roof that was about to collapse, replacing it with a two safe buildings to educate the future leaders of Kenya. Andresen, a Milford, Mich., native, is the team chief for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade Functional Specialty Team. The reservist is deployed from Naval Operations Support Center in Chicago. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| A servicemember shares a picture with Manda Bay Primary School children prior to the dedication ceremony held by the Manda Bay community and CJTF-HOA Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and roof that was about to collapse, replacing it with a two safe buildings to educate the future leaders of Kenya. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| Navy Capt. John R. Andresen visits with Manda Bay Primary School students prior to a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of the only primary school on Manda Island Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had been threatened to be closed down by Kenyan authorities due to the unsafe conditions, replacing it with two safe buildings with 10 classrooms. Andresen, a Milford, Mich., native, is the team chief for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade Functional Specialty Team. The reservist is deployed from Naval Operations Support Center in Chicago. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| While touring the new Manda Bay Primary School facilities, Navy Capt. John R. Andresen takes a moment to sing the alphabet song with students prior to a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of the only primary school on Manda Island Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had been threatened to be closed down by Kenyan authorities due to the unsafe conditions, replacing the dilapidated building with two, five-classroom buildings with storerooms, two four-stall, dry-pit latrine facilities and an administrative building, surrounded with perimeter security fencing. Additional improvements included clearing grounds for three courts, so children will be able to play volleyball, soccer and netball. Andresen, a Milford, Mich., native, is the team chief for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade Functional Specialty Team. The reservist is deployed from Naval Operations Support Center in Chicago. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| Manda Bay Primary School students give Navy Capt. John R. Andresen a tour of the new school grounds prior to a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of the only primary school on Manda Island Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and roof that was about to collapse, replacing it with a two safe buildings to educate the future leaders of Kenya. Andresen, a Milford, Mich., native, is the team chief for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade Functional Specialty Team. The reservist is deployed from Naval Operations Support Center in Chicago. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| Manda Bay Primary School children dance on the school grounds prior to the dedication ceremony held by the Manda Bay community and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa to celebrate the completion of the new facilities Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had been threatened to be closed down by Kenyan authorities due to the unsafe conditions, replacing the dilapidated building with two, five-classroom buildings with storerooms, two four-stall, dry-pit latrine facilities and an administrative building, surrounded with perimeter security fencing. Additional improvements included clearing grounds for three courts, so children will be able to play volleyball, soccer and netball. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| Army Capt. Catherine I. Williams spends time with children from the Manda Bay community prior to the dedication ceremony held by the Manda Bay community and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa to celebrate the completion of the new facilities Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and a roof that was unstable, replacing it with two safe buildings to educate the future leaders of Kenya. Williams is a veterinarian assigned to CJTF-HOA. Williams was part of a CJTF-HOA civil affairs team in the area who conducted a veterinarian civic action program earlier that morning. The Fayetteville, Ark., native is a reservist deployed from the 422nd Medical Detachment specializing in veterinarian services out of Rockville, Md. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| Army Sgt. Brian V. Craig II sits with Manda Bay Primary School students during the dedication ceremony celebrating the completion of the new facilities. The dedication ceremony was held by the Manda Bay community and Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa to celebrate the completion of the new facilities Feb. 18. Through the efforts of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion Civil Affairs Team 14, CJTF-HOA facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and a roof that was unstable, replacing it with two safe buildings to educate the future leaders of Kenya. Craig is the CJTF-HOA Strategic Communications dedication officer. The Brewer, Maine, native is deployed from Fort Knox, Ky. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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| Navy Lt. Marcia C. Fernandes dances with Manda Bay Primary School students during the entertainment portion of the dedication ceremony celebrating the completion of the construction of the new facilities Feb. 18. Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa facilitated a contractor to demolish the pre-existing building, which had a faulty foundation and a roof that was unstable, replacing it with two safe buildings to educate the future leaders of Kenya. Fernandes is the CJTF-HOA Operations engineer for Kenya. The Lakewood, N.J., native is deployed from Navy Facilities Engineer Command out of Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, Italy. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente (RELEASED) |
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Stephania Diamant
18 May 2009, 12:04
I spent over 2 weeks with a team teaching and renovating this school 10
years ago, in the summer of 1999! We built the 2-stall latrine that's
mentioned above. It's so great to hear that they continue to have the
support they need to keep things going. Thank you!!!
Zack Sande
21 Nov 2008, 06:31
A world of good. Those who bother about the weak are the truly great.
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