U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlo Noid and U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Danielle Pier dance while skating at Camp Lemonnier's first ever 70-80s Skating Jam, May 21. The event was coordinated by Noid as a way to boost morale and promote physical fitness in a friendly environment. Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Wilson

This idea started three months ago when U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Carlo Noid started skating around the basketball court as a personal way of exercising, and has grown into a camp wide event.

“I was really just looking for a way to exercise and stay out of trouble,” said Noid. “Three months ago I started skating by myself, and then each Friday there would be more people showing up to join me skating, and this is what we have now.”

The event wasn’t just for those with skates; a large group came out to enjoy the music and support those skating.

“Everybody loves the idea,” said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Danielle Pier, skater. “We’re getting people who don’t know how to skate or who don’t have skates still coming out and enjoying each other’s company and the music. It’s like a block party back at home.”

Part of the appeal of the skating jam is its tie to loved ones back at home said Noid.

“At home we all skate as a family,” said Noid. “And in order to keep that connection with them while I’m deployed here in Djibouti I practice and try to skate as often as possible so I can rejoin them when I get back and it will be like I never left.”

At the end of the day, many deployed service members are just looking for an escape from the working day and the skate jam provides that.

“This whole event just makes me feel free,” said Noid. “I work long hours here in a forward deployed area and it can get pretty stressful, but because of skating I have something fun every week to look forward to that brings a little bit of home here.”

DVIDS
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Wilson

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Tonya Wright colors with Iosroe, age 6, at the Guelleh Battal school in Djibouti on Feb. 13. The Community Assistance volunteers from Camp Lemonnier spend time with the students to build better relations with the local community. Photo by Master Sgt. Carlotta Holley

Volunteers from Camp Lemonnier spent time playing sports, making beaded bracelets and necklaces, coloring pictures and handing out shoes to students at the Guelleh Battal school in Djibouti, Feb. 13.

The 50 volunteers who went out to this school are known as the Community Assistance Volunteers or CAV; this is the second time they’ve gone to the Guelleh Battal school to spend time with the children.

Mahamed Ahmed Abdillahi, Camp Lemonnier’s Community Relations advisor, thinks CAV is a program beneficial to both the Djiboutians and the volunteers.

“From a Djiboutian perspective this is an important organization,” said Abdillahi. “It makes the people of Djibouti aware of the American presence, and shows them that Americans are here for stability, peace and development. That includes helping the community.”

Volunteer work like this, is one that transcends the language and culture barrier that often hinder American and local relations.

“The relationship we’re building with these projects is one that breaks the language barrier. Through art and sport there is a type of communication that’s just as powerful and important as spoken word. That’s what we’ve created here.” said Abdillahi.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Jerrod Jerrolds, CAV board member, hopes the children, whose ages ranged from five to 12, will enjoy the donations and time spent with the service members.

“These kids don’t have the same things we (U.S. service members) had growing up,” said Jerrolds. “So we’re here trying to help the community by giving out necessities and dedicating some of our time to the students.”

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Lance Simmons plays volleyball with the students at the Guelleh Battal school in Djibouti on Feb. 13. Photo by Master Sgt. Carlotta Holley

For each member of CAV, the reason for volunteering is different, for CAV event leader U.S. Navy Second Class Petty Officer Norman Otters, it gives him a chance to work with the community and have some stress-free fun with the kids.

“It’s all about engaging with the kids and building better relations with the local community all while having fun,” said Otters. “Being on camp can make some service members feel stressed, but when you come and play with the kids and you see their smiling faces, you can’t help but feel good and have a good time.”

As CAV’s role continues to grow in the community, Otters’ ambitions grow with it.

“This school here (Guelleh Battal) has a garden club, where students can work the ground and grow their own food,” said Otters. “We’re looking to get involved with that as well, purchasing some seeds and soil and trying to help their club grow. We also plan on visiting the local orphanages and maternity centers to help in any way that we can.”

At the end of the day, it’s about helping the local community to become better than it was before.

“It makes you feel good spending time with the kids and helping the community,” said Jerrolds. “Anyone can sacrifice a few hours, and the feeling you get from their smiles is one that is priceless.”

DVIDS
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Tyler Wilson

U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. 1st Class Jessica Gwillim repaints a wheel on an M2A3 Howitzer in front of an office at Camp Lemonier, Djibouti. Pvt. 1st Class Gwillim, a native of Johnstown, Pa., is assigned to the 9th Provisional Security Forces at the camp. Camp Lemonier is the hub of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, helping Africans solve African challenges, while fostering regional stability. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Joe Zuccaro

It ain’t moving, so it gets painted.