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| Africa: East |
| Combined Joint Task Force â Horn of Africa |
| 2003-12-01 |
| LAMU ISLAND, Kenya â Personnel from Combined Joint Task Force â Horn of Africa joined Kenyans in celebrating the opening of the recently renovated girlsâ school here in a ribbon cutting ceremony November 28. The $20,000 renovation project at the Lamu Girls Secondary School improved the quality of life for the 15 teachers and 360 students attending and living at the school by providing water for cooking, drinking and hygiene. According to Headmistress, Mary K. Mwakuwa, this project has gone a long way to improve conditions at the school. âIn the last three weeks, I would like to report, we have had plenty of water for food. We have been able to wash our own laundry, and we have been able to progress in our studies without taking time to go looking for water,â Mwakuwa explained. The project, paid for by CJTF-HOA, built an underground water tank with a capacity for 10,000 liters of water and an elevated concrete tower for placement of four water tanks. âWater is very important,â said Cornell Tuva, district education officer. âWe have so many times, especially during the dry season, that there is a problem with water here at Lamu Girls. Now that problem is over.â The project also included installing four plastic water tanks with combined capacity of 30,000 liters, an electric water pump, pipes and valves as well as refurbishing the dorm bathrooms. âThis being a girls school, we know the need for water for them to keep themselves clean,â Mwakuwa said. She said, prior to the project, this was a concern and a problem. âBefore our children would have to go days without washing,â Tuva explained. âBut now, I am sure they can take baths three times a day.â Following a meeting with the headmistress and a tour of the school facilities, the task force Deputy Commander, Brig. Gen. Willard C. Broadwater, and the headmistress cut a ribbon symbolizing completion of the new renovations. âThe girls will be sleeping in very comfortable and clean conditions this year because of the help of the American military,â Mwakuwa said. âWe wish to thank them so much.â After cutting the ribbon, Brig. Gen. Broadwater joined the Lamu District Commissioner, James K. Mwaura in unveiling a plaque dedicating the improvements made to the school. The students then held a special dance performance in celebration of the improvements and to thank the task force for its assistance. âI dance today because I know that from now on I wonât have to go around asking my neighbors to give me water,â Mwaura said during a speech after the dance performance. âMy dancers will be very healthy, my dancers will be very clean, and I believe that this dance will also be healthy.â The result of this project was the best gift given to the students of Lamu Girls this year, according to Mwaura. âThe best gift is the news they are going to tell their parents, that the water in the school is flowing,â he explained. âWhen you assure a mother that water is no problem, then the home around the students is a happy, confident environment. Water is very important to the family, to the nation. Once (the Americans) brought water to these young ladies I began seeing a very bright future for Lamu.â The ceremony ended with a presentation of certificates of appreciation by Brig. Gen. Broadwater and project manager, Capt. Jeff Rynearson to local citizens of Lamu that played a key role in accomplishing this project. âWe are happy to help you better educate your children,â Broadwater said. âWe look forward to helping you with other school projects as a symbol of the partnership of the people of Kenya and the United States.â According to Mwaura, because of the improvements to the school, the enrollments have increased. The school canât handle the number because all the girls want to come to Lamu Girls Secondary School. âRight now we count an addition of 150 girls this year alone and we expect another 100 next year,â she explained. âOur problem now is where do we put these girls. We believe though that everything that starts well ends well.â |
| Posted by:Chuck Simmins |
| #1 Won't the Islamists just torch the place? |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-12-1 5:19:17 PM |