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, February 13, 2010.

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."

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."