Unit of the Day Award

Once again, the MSM missed a great opportunity to inform the public of the great work that continues in theaters abroad. Members of the Combined Joint Task Force -- Horn of Africa joined the Mouloud community in Djibouti, Africa, and area officials to celebrate the dedication of the Mouloud Primary School Sept. 26. The school renovation project was funded and coordinated by CJTF-HOA. CENTCOM reports:

MOILED, Djibouti - Members of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa joined the Mouloud community in Djibouti, Africa, and area officials to celebrate the dedication of the Mouloud Primary School Sept. 26.

The ceremony featured several dances and presentations by students from the school, which was renovated by local contractors from Feb. 24 through April 28.

The project, which was coordinated and funded by CJTF-HOA, included the renovation of three classrooms, the cafeteria and the kitchen, and the replacement of the school's roof.

"The windows and walls were broken, pipes weren't working and the electricity wasn't working," said Hawa Pileh, whose six children have all attended Mouloud Primary School. "The children couldn't be inside the classrooms in the summer because of the heat. Now they have fans, electricity, and the damage that was fixed guards them from injuries."

The school, which consists of more than 250 students, was built in 1988 and this is the first renovation project it has received. The total cost of the project was about $50,500.

"I can't express to you enough what these changes mean to us," said Muhammad Sougeh, the Mouloud Primary School director. "We are very happy. These people will never forget what (CJTF-HOA) has given us."

"We do this for one reason - schools represent the future of a nation and the wish of every parent that their children will have a better life than they did," said Col Dwight Trafton, Chief of Staff, CJTF-HOA.

Since the students are all from the Mouloud community, there is a strong sense of pride when the parents and other community members see the changes being made, Mrs. Pileh said..

"This will help us provide for the future of this community. A community without education is like living in a house without lights," she said. "I hope my children will be able to use their education to help their community and their country."

My hat goes off to the men and women of CJTF-HOA for their hard work in the community.

As usual, thanks to Greyhawk for his Open Post.