Seabees Ahead of Schedule on School Dormitory in Djibouti

Steel Worker
Originally uploaded by Sydney Weasel.

By U.S. Navy Photographer's Mate 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Scott Taylor, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs

CAMP LEMONIER, Djibouti - About 150 students in Dikhil, Djibouti will have a new home because of the construction skills of U.S. Navy Seabees assigned to the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa.

The Seabees began construction on two school dormitories April 18 in order to provide shelter for students attending Dikhil Middle School. Construction was set to be completed August 15, but it looks like it will be finished much sooner than expected.

“Working on this project is very rewarding, especially when you see the kids’ faces,” said Utilities man 1st Class James Penny, project manager. “With morale being as high as it is, the project should be finished ahead of schedule.”

Materials for the dormitories were donated to the Djiboutian government by United States Agency for International Development and the government of Saudi Arabia. However, the materials needed to be put together.

A detached unit of Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion-7, based in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been deployed here since February and took on the challenge. The project cost is estimated at approximately $152,000. {click on image for details}