U.S. Soldiers present donated educational supplies to Cameroonian school children

Education as a way to fight Boko Haram


"Education is the most important thing and through education of our children we will be able to defeat Boko Haram."
By U.S. Army 1st Lt. Trevor Barnes 2nd ICBT, 3rd Inf. Div. UPAR Apr 19, 2016
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 4 images

GAROUA, Cameroon - Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, in partnership with the Cameroon Air Force, held a school supply donation ceremony at the Ecole Maternelle Base Aerienne 301 Garoua (government nursery school) here April 8.

Spirit of America, a U.S. non-profit organization, arranged for the donation of the supplies in coordination with Maj. Perry White, commander of 2nd IBCT troops in Cameroon, Cameroon Air Force Col. Barthelemy T'Silla, commander of Base Aerienne 301 De Garoua, and Capt. James Turk, civil affairs team leader from Company B, 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion.

Through Spirit of America's continued support of civil-military activities, the organization provided funding to purchase the school supplies. As a result, 2nd IBCT and Cameroon troops delivered these supplies to the students and teachers of the nursery school and shared in the special event.

Sgt. Eunice Tahsoh, a supply technician assigned to 2nd IBCT, spoke to the children from a unique perspective as a Cameroonian-born U.S. Army Soldier. "Education is fundamental to the development of the country," she explained in French. "We are here today to support the government's actions towards education."

The supplies donated will be used to continue the education and preparation of the young children for primary school.

The children of Ecole Maternelle, with the help of their teachers, put on a program of cultural song and dance for the U.S. and Cameroonian troops to show their appreciation and thanks.

T'Silla addressed the group and explained that education is a crucial effort in the fight against Boko Haram.

"Education is the most important thing and through education of our children we will be able to defeat Boko Haram," said T'Silla.

Soldiers from 2nd IBCT, provide non-lethal support to their Cameroonian hosts as part of U.S. Africa Command. At the request of the government of Cameroon, U.S. troops are providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assistance via unmanned aerial systems to assist Cameroon in defeating violent extremists.

More in Partnerships
USAFE-AFAFRICA Airmen team with Zambian counterparts for Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop
Airmen from Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa supported the Uniformed Services University in a collaboration with more than 50 members of the Zambian Defence Forces during a four-day Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Workshop here.
Read more
AFRICOM Commander Visits Morocco
U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Morocco Feb. 20-21, 2024 on his third trip to the country since taking command.
Read more
U.S., Tunisian Leaders Meet to Foster Bilateral Security Cooperation
U.S. and Tunisian officials met Friday in Tunis to review our two nations' important, longstanding defense and security partnerships, including countering terrorist threats and to discuss upcoming joint activities and areas for future cooperation, including further U.S. support for Tunisia’s work as a regional provider of security expertise.
Read more
More in Partnerships
USAFE-AFAFRICA Airmen team with Zambian counterparts for Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop
Airmen from Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa supported the Uniformed Services University in a collaboration with more than 50 members of the Zambian Defence Forces during a four-day Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Workshop here.
Read more
AFRICOM Commander Visits Morocco
U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Morocco Feb. 20-21, 2024 on his third trip to the country since taking command.
Read more
U.S., Tunisian Leaders Meet to Foster Bilateral Security Cooperation
U.S. and Tunisian officials met Friday in Tunis to review our two nations' important, longstanding defense and security partnerships, including countering terrorist threats and to discuss upcoming joint activities and areas for future cooperation, including further U.S. support for Tunisia’s work as a regional provider of security expertise.
Read more
More in Partnerships
USAFE-AFAFRICA Airmen team with Zambian counterparts for Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop
Airmen from Headquarters U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa supported the Uniformed Services University in a collaboration with more than 50 members of the Zambian Defence Forces during a four-day Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Workshop here.
Read more
AFRICOM Commander Visits Morocco
U.S. Marine Corps General Michael Langley, Commander, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Michael Woods, Command Senior Enlisted Leader visited Morocco Feb. 20-21, 2024 on his third trip to the country since taking command.
Read more
U.S., Tunisian Leaders Meet to Foster Bilateral Security Cooperation
U.S. and Tunisian officials met Friday in Tunis to review our two nations' important, longstanding defense and security partnerships, including countering terrorist threats and to discuss upcoming joint activities and areas for future cooperation, including further U.S. support for Tunisia’s work as a regional provider of security expertise.
Read more