November 18th through November 24th, 2007 Mr. George Kazolias, professor of Journalism at American University of Paris presented “Journalism 101”, a five day college course. Twenty-five young journalists from print and electronic media outlets learned several writing techniques and principles of journalism. Mr. Kazolias collaborated with the Djibouti Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy to bring “Journalism 101” to Djibouti.
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| Dr. Kathleen List encourages future djiboutians teachers. |
On October 29th, 2007, University of Djibouti students organized "English Club", a weekly guest speaker program for students who want to practice English. Dr. Kathleen List, Charge d'Affairs and Ms. Kanni Osman, USAID Democracy and Governance Specialist, met with university students to discuss teaching and studying abroad. Dr. List and Ms. Osman shared their student experiences in France, Egypt, the U.S., and Djibouti. They also discussed the challenges and rewards of being a professor abroad. Dr. List and Ms. Osman were the first of a series of guest speakers who will share their expertise and experiences with students at the University of Djibouti.
"Live Round" music concert (10/25/07)
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| "Live Round" the Air Force expeditionary band performing at CDC 5. |
CDC 5, Camp Lemonier, and the American Embassy organized a public concert for youth. Thursday night was filled with music and singing at Community Development Center 5 in Djiboutiville as 200 Djiboutian youth jammed with the Air Force expeditionary band. The Air Force band played songs varying from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Tracey Chapman. The Embassy wishes to thank Mariam Youssouf of CDC 5, The Air Force Band, and Camp Lemonier for bringing the best of American music to Djibouti on October 25th, 2007.
9/11 observance (09/11/07)
Embassy employees took a moment of silence to remember and respect victims and survivors of 9/11, 2001.
Balbala and Goubetto school children offered brighter future (09/11/07)
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| Army Brig. Gen. Sanford Holman, Ambassador Stuart Symington and volunteers inaugurate Balbala primary school |
Students in Balbala gave a warm welcome to Ambassador Stuart Symington, Army Brig. Gen. Sanford Holman, and American military volunteers during the September 6th primary school dedication in Balbala, Djibouti. The Balbala primary school upgrades included new classrooms, a stocked library, bathroom facilities, a stage area for plays and a new power supply. The Goubetto primary school upgrades consisted of four classrooms, a kitchen and food preparation area, and a new dining room. (more)
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| Air Force Col. Robert Swain, 449th Air Expeditionary Group Commander, sits Djiboutian students at the Goubetto School dedication in Djibouti |
Idaho school books donation to the cDC in the 5th quarter (04/23/07)
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| Books donated by Idaho School |
Monday, May 14th marked the one year anniversary of the community development center (CDC) in the 5th quarter in Djiboutiville. The new CDC offers classes in cooking, sewing, embroidery, and reading for youth. Students are now learning English and taking basic computer courses. Mariam Youssouf Abdi, a full-time volunteer at the center, was especially grateful to Cindy Rissky of Idaho, for Cindy’s book donation that resulted in a mini library for Djiboutian children learning English. The CDC is a safe, fun, and educational place for youth in the 5th quarter to meet and learn new skills.
Benches and Chairs for English Schools (04/23/07)
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| Benches and chairs for the two private english schools |
On May 17th the Marine 6th PSC outfitted two private English schools with new desks and benches for students. Several Marines spent their vacation time building furniture and collecting flip flops for Djiboutian students throughout Djiboutiville.
Take your child to work day (04/23/07)
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| Ravi Patch, one of the children, receiving his passport from Zahra Nour, the Consular Assistant. MORE PHOTOS |
The Embassy celebrated Take Your Child to Work Day on April 23rd, 2007. Twenty-five children were sworn in by Ambassador Symington as Diplomats for the Day. After taking their oath, the children visited the executive office and received a passport in the consular section. The highlight of the day was receiving a time sheet and paycheck from the management section. Each child gave an interview in the public diplomacy section and secured the Embassy entrance using the X-ray machine. The children represented their countries like professional diplomats and earned a certificate at the end of the day.
Soccer balls donation (04/23/07)
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| LTC Joe Atkins handing over a soccer ball |
Hundreds of Djiboutian children were touched by the generosity of American students from Jacksonville, Arkansas. Air Force LTC Joe Atkins of Camp Lemonier, worked with the principals and students in Arkansas to share his love of soccer with Djiboutian students. The event was joint collaboration between the American servicemen and family members, the Djiboutian education superintendent, the sports director, soccer coaches, and Djiboutian students. Ambassador Symington, COL Kiser, COL Tolley, and LTC Atkins signed each soccer ball and distributed them to Djiboutian students.
Teachers from each district in Djibouti gathered at Djibouti high school to receive 100 soccer balls chosen and donated by students from Tolleson Elementary and Arnold Drive Elementary schools in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Middle and high schools throughout Djibouti will receive the soccer balls. The Djiboutian students expressed their appreciation to the American students because soccer is the national sport of Djibouti.
African American heritage exhibit (04/01/07)
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| Mr. Don Dodson (left) giving a walking tour of the exhibit to Mr. Idriss Moussa (right), the Director of Culture |
Don Dodson, a private collector partnered with the Djiboutian Ministry of Culture and the Embassy during a two day exhibit of his African American publishing collection. Visitors experienced the first public exhibit in Djibouti that focused on African American publishing history at the Gallerie de God on April 1st and 2nd. The exhibit included the magazines Jet, Negro Digest, Ebony, Ebony Jr, Tan, comic books, newspapers, and a rare Djibouti 500 franc postage stamp of Dr. Martin Luther King. Many Djiboutian visitors, including the Minister of Culture, requested more exhibits highlighting African American achievements. Mr. Dodson, gave a walking tour of the exhibit to the local television station as they gathered footage for a future documentary on African American achievements. La Nation, the local newspaper featured an article on Mr. Dodson’s exhibit and a biography about John Johnson, the founder of Ebony magazine. HELP commission visits Djibouti (03/21/07)
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| Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn at the Self-Help Project in Tadjourah. MORE PHOTOS |
The HELP Commission, led by Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn, visited Tadjourah, Djibouti on March 21st to visit humanitarian projects in Djibouti. Congresswoman Dunn’s team included Eric Postel, William Lane, Wesley Wilson, and Melissa Griswold. Janet Schulman, the USAID representative in Djibouti took them to Tadjoura to visit several joint American Embassy and military projects. The commission received a warm welcome from the Sagallou health center and Congresswoman Dunn dedicated Tadjourah Primary School II. For more information about the HELP commission, go to http://helpcommission.gov/.
Stanley Foundation visits uSAID's projects in tadjoura (02/20/07)
On February 20th, USAID Representative Janet Schulman led a media visit to Tadjoura, Djibouti, to visit USAID projects. Ms. Schulman was joined by three journalists from the Stanley Foundation. Along the way to Tadjoura, Ms. Schulman gave interviews with each journalist and talked about the progress that USAID and the Djiboutian government have made over the last two years. Ms. Schulman started the USAID program here and had personal stories to share about each of the sites we visited. The journalists interacted with women receiving medical treatment at a medical clinic, and met with parent teacher association volunteers who prepared and distributed food for lunch at a USAID renovated school.
Janet Schulman explained the strong relationship between the Embassy, the Djiboutian government, and the American military, addressing the journalists’ interest in the U.S. military and development and diplomacy. The Stanley Foundation is producing a radio documentary titled, "Beyond Fear: America's Role in an Uncertain World" for NPR. The documentary is scheduled for release in spring 2007.
Embassy launched the first episode of our “Education is Freedom” radio series(03/19/07)
On March 19th, the Embassy launched the first episode of our “Education is Freedom” radio series. The 15 minute program targets school age children in rural areas who do not get to go to school and will run for three months. It is the first program in Djibouti of any kind that offers identical programming in Somali and Afar languages. President Guelleh continues to encourage mutual respect between the Afar and Somali populations in Djibouti, and the radio program supports his initiative while offering an educational opportunity to thousands of children who can’t go to school.
Radio Television Djibouti, the local radio and television station, received positive feedback from listeners during the first week of programming. The Embassy will make programming adjustments based on listener feedback for the next three months of programming.
Tune in to Somali on 91.30 FM: Mondays 0830 and Wednesdays at 1900
Afar on 95.25 FM: Mondays at 0830 and Tuesdays at 1600
Cardiac Monitoring system for Peltier Hospital (03/15/2007)
Partnership between Rotary Clubs worldwide resulted in better healthcare for everyone in Djibouti. On March 15th, 2007, The Sunnyvale and Djibouti Rotary clubs dedicated a cardiac monitoring system to Peltier Hospital, the only hospital in Djibouti that services the entire public. The cardiac system can monitor eight patients at a time, and is a major step in improving cardiac care in Djibouti.
National Day Celebration (02/11/07)
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| Rear. Admiral James M. Hart, Commander of CJTF-HOA speaking at the National Day Reception (02/11/2007). |
Our National Day celebration, hosted by Ambassador Symington, RADM Hunt, and RADM Hart, was held at the American embassy on February 11th. Over 400 guests celebrated the theme, “Individuals Who Are Making A Difference”. Guests enjoyed food from Guam and listened to American style music. Ambassador Symington recognized outstanding Djiboutians who are making a difference in their communities everyday.(more)
Embassy Djibouti celebrates consular leadership Day (01/17/2007
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| Students from Nativity School visiting the Consular Section. |
Nativity School participated in Consular Leadership Day by donating art from several students at the school. The students chose the theme “peace”, and created artful messages of how they perceive peace and why peace is important in Djibouti. The artwork created by the forty students is the final step in transforming the consular section into an outreach area. In addition to artwork, the consular section has several books about America to read and DVDs to watch as clients are being served in the consular section.
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