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KITGUM, Uganda — When Staff Sgt. John Okumu joined the Army nearly five years ago, he never dreamed he would one day deploy to Africa, the continent he once called home.
Sergeant Okumu, who hails originally from Kenya, was among the first U.S. Soldiers to set up operations for Natural Fire 10, a multi-national partnership exercise being held this month in Uganda.
During a recent visit to Kitgum High School, Sergeant Okumu, a 21st Theater Sustainment Command logistics specialist, found himself surrounded by curious teens eager to learn more about the American sergeant who spoke their language.
Sergeant Okumu welcomed such an ambush, responding to a barrage of questions from the uniformed high school students. Within minutes, a small circle of a dozen students grew into a crowd of 60 or more.
What began as an impromptu discussion grew into a huddle of dozens, hanging on Sergeant Okumu’s every word. He told them how important it was for them to do well in school and reach for their goals.
“Education in the key,” he said. “Everyone has a talent. You just need to find out what yours is.”
The students paid close attention and asked many questions. At one point, they broke into laughter after one student asked a question the others thought was silly. Sergeant Okumu was quick to jump in, telling the students never to be afraid to learn by asking.
“There’s no such thing as a stupid question, except to the question that’s never asked,” he said.
The conversation continued in English, which the teens learn in their classes. But they were initially drawn to Sergeant Okumu when they heard him speak Luo – the language spoken in Northern Uganda that Sergeant Okumu learned as a child in Kenya. He moved to Missouri in 2000.
Sergeant Okumu is assigned to a group of 21st TSC Soldiers tasked with constructing a base camp in Kitgum and providing logistical support for Natural Fire 10. In the coming days, hundreds of Soldiers from Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will join U.S. troops for the 10-day exercise, which has been held in East Africa every two years for the past decade.
This year, Natural Fire 10 offers an opportunity for East African community partner nations and the U.S. military to work together on a humanitarian assistance mission. The exercise takes place in Entebbe, Kampala and Kitgum.
In Kitgum, U.S. troops and East African partners will provide medical, dental and engineering support to local communities. Engineer projects will be conducted at the Kitgum High School, Mucwini Primary School and Kitgum Government Hospital, where students anxiously anticipate more interaction with Okumu and his fellow Americans.
