Lifestyle Materials

PROTESTS AND FRUSTRATION REGARDING EDUCATION IN CHUUK

2006-02-02T12:50:00.000-08:00

Yesterday hundreds of elementary school students clad in their yelllow Iras Model School T-shirts, accompanied by their parents and school staff marched to the Chuuk Legislature and then to the Chuuk State School System (CSSS)offices to protest the closing of their school.

Yes, giving the Chuuk High School (CHS) campus to COM has many reprecussions: CHS will close, phase-out is to start next year with no new 9th greade class, Iras Elementary School will close too, the state will build a new Weno High School (WHS) for an estimated 1,000 students.

Weno High School is horrible, as it has been for many years. Who is at fault? Well, whoever was responsible for Weno High School - the school administrators and CSSS are certainly people that should have done something. Unfortunately, they have not done anything to improve WHS in years and now, suddenly, they will build it anew at Iras, throwing students and the system into chaos...

And, what are plans for all the displaced elementary and secondary students? The government says they will beef up the existing village and regional elementary and secondary schools and students will return to their home villages and islands.

With the CSSS ignoring village and regional schools for years, it is interesting to note that to date neither the state government or CSSS has a solid plan for exactly how to accomplish the daunting task of improving schools.

It isn't enough to simply say, you will return to your village or island schools and attend school.

So, returning to ysterday's protest: What happened when the parents and students reached the education offices? Word has it that nothing happened: the administrators did not come out and speak to them.

Ignoring the concerns of parents and kids is NOT the way to create confidence, or to build a decent education system.

Stay tuned...

Why would anyone want to teach in Chuuk, FSM

2006-01-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

If after receiving his college degree a young Micronesian decides he wants to return home and help his people by becoming a teacher, he will make a starting salary that is more than $10,000 less than wiping dry an SUV as it leaves the automatic car wash, or stuffing chicken gizzards into a Tyson's Chicken box...

A new early childhood education teacher in Chuuk receives approximately $4,000.
Compare:

-Chuuk Head Start Teacher at P&P Center: $4,400.
-Honolulu laborer at McCully Car Wash in Honolulu: $14,040.
-Packing chicken parts at Tyson's Chicken in Oklahoma: $15,000.

"According to a 2003 National Center for Education Statistics report, the national average salary for teachers is about $45,000 (and)$36,000... is just about the national average for new teachers' wages" (PDN, 1/26/06).

The FSM is entrusting the future of the nation to teachers who make slave wages. No wonder there are problems. Furthermore, with all the criticism by JEMCO of the need to improve education in the FSM, why do they not lobby Washington, DC for enough money to pay teachers a decent wage?

IS CHUUK HIGH SCHOOL GOING TO CLOSE?

2006-01-14T12:46:00.000-08:00

The following short paragraph is taken from the COMFSM web site.

GOVERNOR SIMINA ESTABLISHED AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR CHUUK HIGH SCHOOL SITE:

"An Advisory Committee has been established by Governor Simina to work collaboratively with the College of Micronesia-FSM to make sure that the site is transferred to the College legally and on time (end of 2008) for the College to move in and do renovations/upgrading of facilities. The College will be happy to work with the established advisory committee on the turnover of the site to the College."

Published January 10, 2006 it seems to indicate that the Chuuk State Government has made a final decision that Chuuk High School (CHS) is a thing of the past, and it will be turned into the permanent site of the COM - Chuuk Campus.

"Reasons for Selecting Chuuk High School Site as Permanent Site for Chuuk Campus"

2006-01-12T06:46:00.000-08:00

The President of the College of Micronesia has made the following declaration:

"The Leaders of the College of Micronesia-FSM selected the Chuuk High
School Site as the future permanent site for Chuuk Campus because the
leadership of the State of Chuuk offered it to the College at no cost.
The other States of the FSM like Yap State does not have much public
land and yet they provided land for Yap Campus. Kosrae and Pohnpei
States also provided lands for campuses in their respective states at no
cost to the College. The College also does not have fiscal resources to
purchase land for its campus in the State of Chuuk.

The future of the College’s accreditation is depended on securing a
permanent site for Chuuk Campus and the decision that the College
leaders made at its December 5-9, 2005, meeting was a wise one. This was
also a long overdue issue."

Opinions vary greatly about this issue. If you have an opinion please share it with us and send your comment to ship_hoops@yahoo.com

HOLIDAYS IN CHUUK: A TIME FOR JOY, REFLECTION & MEASURING

2005-12-26T13:18:00.000-08:00

In 1852 the sons of missionaries to Hawaii ventured farther into the Pacific, coming to the shores of Micronesia: Sturges and Doane to Pohnpei, Snow to Kosrae and Bingham, son of Hiram Bingham designer of Kawahiawo Church and the minister who served as a model for Abner Hale in James Michener’s “Hawaii.”

These men of the ABCFM changing the face Micronesia forever! Christianity was to become “the” cultural reality for the islanders…

Sunday was Christmas Day and it was a wonderful and at the same time sobering day for this writer. During the week the stores were busy as people came to shop for gifts for family and community members: new pants and the greatly in demand basketball shoes for boys, frilly dresses or cloth to make Chuukese Mother Hubbard ’s or Chuukese skirts for the girls.

In addition there was the need to purchase numerous gifts for Christmas exchanges held at the church or the extended family compound. Girt exchanges are a big thing and Chuukese do their best to give more than they get. It is the feeling of sharing and also the belief that generosity is a positive trait.

People with money move from store to store looking carefully for presents for the entire family to give. Those with less money available go to their farms and gather taro, bananas, watermelons, coconuts, preserved breadfruit and other produce to give.

It is a time when people are filled with the desire to please and share what little they have with others.

Church can be summed up by the saying “Come early and stay late.” There are many sermons, prayers, songs, scripture readings, and the children reciting the Christmas Story. The church group will also sing their new song which will be shared on December 26th at a special service called “Second Christmas.” This year Second Christmas will be held at Nantaku Church and many Protestant Churches will gather to sing and rejoice.

Amid this joy, just under the surface and overlooked by most people, is a poverty that exists in this marginal cash economy, where people struggle to make ends meet with limited financial resources, horribly low pay, poor schools, and practically no social services to sustain them.

At a recent meeting of the U.S. citizens with the Ambassador to Micronesia, Compact negotiator Stayman and two fact finders from the United States Congress, a US citizen made the following statement:

“There are some facts you need to be aware of but first let me say that I agree with having honest government, a balanced budget, no nepotism or misuse of Compact funds.

I am speaking as a parent for all the Chuukese parents and I want to say this:

• I am opposed to deficits: Chuuk has a deficit of reportedly at $25 million and the United States has a trillion dollar deficit.

• We do not support misspending, theft or nepotism. We want a government that functions well and in the best interest of its people. However, even if not a penny was used inappropriately, there simply is not enough money to provide for Chuuk and her people.

• In the US a preschool teacher’s starting salary is $22,500/year and their average household size is 4. In Chuuk a preschool teacher’s starting salary is $4,400/year and their average household size is 7.5. The cost of food in Chuuk is higher than Honolulu (regarding as one of the most expensive cities to live in the USA).

• The money available to educate a child in Kosrae is $1,000/year and in Chuuk it is about $500. How many of you send your children to a school that allots such a small amount of money to educate your sons and daughters? None of you!

• We send our children away to colleges to get a good education and then they return to be offered slave wages or no job opportunities at all.

• In Micronesia in the ‘60s there was no poverty because there was basically no cash economy. Today as people have become increasingly more dependent on the cash economy, they are now poor. They do not have the necessary funds to provide basic necessities to their family.

• Under the Trust Territory the United States was criticized for its failure to live up to the UN treaty, requiring the US to provide proper education and health care to the people of Micronesia. During Compact I the United States engaged in a policy of creating a dependency. It was successful and now in Act II it is demanding a tightening of the reins. How convenient for the USA and how difficult for Chuuk!

As I write this people are preparing for Second Christmas. There is joy in their hearts, the sense of sharing and a love of family and their church. Today they will sing and worship, dance and laugh… being thankful for what little they have!

Tomorrow people will begin the ritual of preparing for the New Year. At Selifis Memorial Church in Penia, Weno, Chuuk, church will begin at 6:30 on New Years Eve and continue on until after midnight – welcoming the New Year with song and prayer.

The people of Chuuk are good people, loving parents, good Christians, caring and generous… They are also in need of good leadership and guidance, from within and without, positive assistance in 2006 to face the future…

The millions promised by Evangelist Ron Susek and his Chuukese cronies were smoke and mirrors, the bad side of religion, money and power: a manipulation of good people who believe faithfully in The Word and accept without question those that preach it – ill conceived and misguided though some would-be Men of God are.

The sons of Micronesia enlist, fight, loose arms, legs and lives fighting for opportunity and thereby defending an America that has, like the slick words of the smooth talking, hair sprayed minister from Gettysburg has done, left them wanting (and deserving) something better.

It is sad to say that a good argument can be made that the United States has not given given “measure for measure!”

Jewish scholars and rabbis are well aware of God providing for man “measure for measure.” The following is taken from "Reading the Book: Making the Bible a Timeless Text". [1996. Visotzky, Burton L. New York: Schocken Books]

****************************************
Samson rebelled with his eyes, as it is said, "Samson went down to Tinnah and
saw a Philistine women among the girls of Tinnah…. He said to his father, “Take
her for me for she is upright in my eyes”” (Judges 14:1-3). So he was smitten in
his eyes, as it is said, “The Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes”
(Judges 16:21).

Samson was punished measure for measure.

(Likewise) when God rewards measure for measure, God does so with abundance."
****************************************

When the time finally comes to “measure” the United States’ policies and actions in Micronesia and the leadership of Chuuk against the hearts, souls and minds of the Chuukese people, there hopefully will be a “measure for measure” accounting.

At that time I would bet on the common man, the Chuukese who at Christmas goes to his taro patch with his “wak a pwun” and gathers the labor of his hands and heart, and gives them at Christmas to another member of his community – a ritual of sharing, a positive “measure for measure,” giving by one man to others “with abundance.” This is the true holiday spirit and it is very much alive in Chuuk.

From the entire staff of SHIP/HOOPS, a truly Joyful Season and Peace in the New Year!

Photos follow of the holiday season. Some will bring happiness to you, and others may be cause for reflection – both important as we approach 2006.

2005-12-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

Chuukese Christmas Day

2005-12-26T13:15:00.000-08:00

Minister Eli Selifis

2005-12-26T13:13:00.000-08:00

Children retell the Christmas Story

2005-12-26T13:12:00.000-08:00

Christmas Joy!

2005-12-26T13:10:00.000-08:00

Gift exchange at a local church

2005-12-26T13:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas finds some with few resources

2005-12-26T13:06:00.000-08:00

Christmas Past

2005-12-26T13:04:00.000-08:00

Police are enforcing the no drinking and driving laws.

2005-12-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas is a time for little girls to have their hair braided.

COMPARE SECOND HAND SMOKE PROBLEMS IN THE US & CHUUK

2005-12-23T20:01:00.000-08:00

US LEADERS SUPPORT SMOKE FREE WORK PLACES WHILE IN CHUUK TOBACCO LAWS ARE NOT ENFORCED!

By a margin of 62.5 percent to 37.5 percent, Washington state voters approved a ballot initiative to make all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free.

By a margin of 62.5 percent to 37.5 percent, Washington state voters approved a ballot initiative to make all workplaces, including restaurants and bars, smoke-free.

Washington is the ninth state to adopt a comprehensive, statewide smoke-free workplace law that includes restaurants and bars. It joins California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Florida, Idaho, Utah and Montana have passed statewide smoke-free laws that exempt only stand-alone bars (Montana's law will extend to bars in 2009). Hundreds of cities and counties have taken action as well, as have whole countries including Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Italy and New Zealand.

The evidence is clear that smoke-free laws protect health without harming business. Dozens of studies and hard economic data have shown that smoke-free laws do not harm sales or employment in restaurants and bars and may even have a positive impact. An April 2005 study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that Massachusetts' smoke-free law did not affect sales or employment in the state's restaurants, bars and nightclubs after taking effect on July 5, 2004.

It's time to protect everyone's right to breathe clean air.

CHUUK LEADERS IGNORE LAWS
Compare this to a recent complaint that people entering the state government offices on Weno, Chuuk are frequently exposed to second hand smoke.

Facts About Second Hand Smoke

• Study confirms smoke-free laws reduce heart attacks…
• Secondhand smoke an acute impact on cardiovascular system…
• Exposure to secondhand smoke doubles cancer risk ..
• Short exposure to secondhand smoke hardens arteries

Chuuk State ignores the problems of smoking and allows non-smokers, people with asthma, and children to be exposed to second hand smoke. Recently an employee of the Chuuk State Government was exposed to excessive second hand smoke and suffered a recurrence of asthma. This is not the first person to become sick as a result of being exposed to OPS (Other People’s Smoke)…

It is time to stop killing our citizens and start enforcing smoking laws.

COMFSM Board of Regents Gives Chuuk a Very Bad Christmas Gift

2005-12-17T13:41:00.000-08:00

This is the second in a series of articles about "FAILING OUR YOUTH!"

TO: The Board of Regents and Administration of COMFSM
RE: Selection of Chuuk High School as the permanent site for the Chuuk Campus

Gentlemen,

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT APPEARS IN THE COLLEGE OF MICRONESIA (COMFSM) WEB SITE:
"...the Board of Regents approved the operational budget for our five campuses and the FSM-FMI, selected Chuuk High School site as the future permanent site for the COM-FSM Chuuk Campus with conditions, and required the administration to submit data from program evaluation for BOR review and action at its May meeting..."

Congratulations for making a politically correct decision which impacts negatively on both secondary school and community college students in Chuuk - and the FSM. This "Christmas Gift" to the young people of Chuuk is a slap in their faces and shows how out of touch the board of regents and college is regarding the needs, desires and realities of education for more than half the citizens of your nation.

I am so sorry to learn that the Board of Regents made such a poor decision and that your web site implicates that this is some positive achievement, when all it does is create serious problems for education in Chuuk State and brings into question the decision-making abilities of the board, those administrators associated with it, the politicians and others in Chuuk who support this idea.

The man on the street is not happy with the treatment and lack of serious attention being paid to the Chuuk Campus and questions the COM Board of Regents. Ir appears you have chosen to "wash your hands of this matter" rather than work to resolve it in a positive way. How very sad.

What gentlemen are you thinking and doing to support positive resolution of the COM-Chuuk Campus matter? This decision made by the Board of Regents imacts negatively on students in your country: not CHUUK, FSM students!

PRESIDENT'S CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR MESSAGE
"Christmas is a time of the year when people get together and wish each other well. It is a time people give gifts and exchange greeting cards. It is also a time when people must sit and re-evaluate their lives. Re-evaluation is a very important principle that promote growth. It gives us the opportunity to examine our lives.'

At Christmas I would ask that the people claiming to be responsible for higher education in the FSM stop and take a serious look at how the students in Chuuk are being treated by the Board of Regents...

As the COM Christmas message says, "Re-evaluation is a very important principle that promote growth."

I would change that to read, "Please re-evaulate and make 'principled' decisions outside the box of political correctness, and start representing youth from all regions of the Federated States of Micronesia!" Thank you and Merry Christmas.

FAILING OUR YOUTH

2005-12-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

Some ago a meeting of the Chuuk Tobacco Coalition was held. The Chuuk tobacco educator made a report about what his department was doing. He said they had just completed their tobacco sting operation. I asked him to please share this experience with us.

He said they had gone to various retailers and sent underage youth to buy tobacco products. When a retailer sold tobacco to an underage youth, they reported that retailer to the Office of the Attorney General.

Someone asked, "Why didn't you fine them on the spot as the law and most sting operations do?"

He replied, "We don't have citations."

"You mean you do not have the paper document to give the retailer?"

"That is correct; we don't have any money to print them."

A coalition member suggested that the tobacco coalition had funds available and perhaps some of that money should be used to print citations for the tobacco educator.

But, the educator said that the attorney general wanted them retailers reported so they could investigate them and decide what to do.

"If you caught a retailer selling tobacco to a minor, that is a violation of the law and that business is subject to the penalties of law."

Again, the educator said that they were following what the government attorney told them to do.

Someone asked, "You mean that if John walked out of this meeting, took out a gun and shot someone dead, you would report it to the AG for investigation and nothing more?"

Silence!

A question was asked, "Have you done sting operations for a long time?"

"Oh yes, we have conducted tobacco stings for quite a few years."

In all of those years you have been doing stings, how many retailers have you actually fined or arrested?"

"None!"

Tobacco is Availalbe to Children in Chuuk

2005-12-16T13:11:00.000-08:00

Doral: Kids smoke it; Puu: kids chew it.

Native Americans & Micronesians: Sharing and Learning

2005-11-23T00:39:00.000-08:00

Micronesians shared and learned during their visit last week to Arizona where they with danced and prayed together with Hopi and Navajo people… Paul Otoko reports:

“The trip went well. Our team was welcomed by the Hopi Natives and the Navajo Natives. The Hopi are the most ancient First Nation peoples of America who still occupy the same villages from the ancient past until today. The Navajos are more recent First Nations Natives of America.

The Hopi people, upon hearing that we were going through their land, asked if they could serve us breakfast and dinner, which is very rare. They usually don't want outside influences. They've been hurt a lot and for too long by others, and so rightfully they do what they can to keep the painful past from reoccurring in the present.

The Hopi ladies and their children were very kind to us. They really liked our island prayer and praise dances and they want us back to spend more time with them.”

For more information about other programs please contact:

Paul Otoko
Director of Campus Participation
William Carey International University
1539 East Howard Street
Pasadena CA 91104

phone: 626-398-2427
fax: 626-398-2260
www.wciu.edu

Indigenous People from America & The Pacific

2005-11-21T00:38:00.000-08:00

"Indegineous (are) people living in countries which have populations composed of different ethnic or racial groups who are decesdants of the earliest populations which survive in the area..."

Micronesians will be sharing Pacific Island dances at a Native American Pow wow in Arizona. In return, they will learn from their Native American brothers and sisters.

Micronesians & Native Americans Sharing their cultures

2005-11-21T00:36:00.000-08:00

Chuukese and Micronesian Youth Participate in Native American Activities

It is time to speak out for our children

2005-11-15T07:08:00.000-08:00

How long should we be patient? How long should we keep our mouth shut and allow bad education to exist in our community, to destroy our kids, to deny them a future? How many children’s lives must be ruined because they cannot read or add or spell before someone speaks up? It has been decades… isn’t it time?

Consider these things:

• If there is a funeral in the village, school is cancelled.

• When it rains at Weno High School, classes are cancelled because classrooms leak. This has been a problem for years, but nothing has been done.

• There are principals that are also ministers: some skip school to attend the church function. What about Christ’s words, “Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not; for such is the kingdom of heaven?” What kind of Christianity is this? The kids “suffer” with no one in the classroom teaching them to read and write!

• An elementary school has children in grades 1-8, but only four teachers?

• Has anyone every asked the question: What is it that the FSM national government does to see that every child in every island in every state gets a decent education?

• If you child in not in school for 180 days a year, she is not getting enough school time.

• We sue for land, we sue for telephone poles, we litigate when we feel the government has done something wrong, we get angry when our electricity goes off, but we ignore seeking legal help to make sure our kids get a good education. You have the right, no the obligation, to take a school and your education department to court if they are not providing your child with a decent education!

NO FEAR: Your kids deserve the best!

If you love your child, make sure she can read!

2005-11-15T06:46:00.000-08:00

Reading and learning

Stay in School, its fun and cool

2005-11-15T06:39:00.000-08:00

Good parents make certain their child attends a decent school.

Truancy is a serious problem in Chuuk

2005-11-15T06:31:00.000-08:00

Some parents send their children to the market to sell things rather than send them to school. These acts of truancy are seen everyday, yet nothing is done. Why?

Why is literacy such a pressing problem today?

2005-11-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

If there is one factor more than any other that distinguishes the haves from the have-nots, either in your community or between countries, it is literacy. Illiterate families are locked in the poverty cycle and have little hope of breaking free. Countries with low levels of literacy cannot compete and fall further and further behind, and ultimately; the frustrations spill over into wars

It is very difficult to teach illiterate people the paths to good health, the advantages of family spacing, the way to increase crop yields, nutrition for children, and how to earn a living. They are denied access to so much of today’s knowledge. The poor often cannot afford to turn their backs of any means of obtaining the necessities of life. In developing countries, we see the impact of illiteracy, in people who become antisocial… For those of us who can read... it is hard to realize how crippling illiteracy must be and how difficult it is to survive without the knowledge we gain from the written word. (Rotarian Magazine, Oct. 2002).

JEMCO Clarifies Its Position Regarding Sports Facilities

2005-11-12T13:24:00.000-08:00

The following was received from JEMCO. Thanks for providing this information.

"Please pass on to the nameless letter writer that you distorted and provided false information regarding what JEMCO decided in their past two meetings. The subject of building sporting facilities has never been raised in any of the JEMCO meetings. By attaching quotes to what you purport that JEMCO said you are doing your readers a disservice."

Sports: Part of the learning process

2005-11-11T18:48:00.000-08:00

Chuukese running on a muddy field

JEMCO Says Compact Funds Cannot Be Used for Sports Facilities

2005-11-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

Chuuk State is known for having fast sprinters and tough distance runners. Less than a week after the conclusion of the Chuuk Goodwill Games runners met to begin training for the next competition. Several athletes have been selected to compete in the December Athletics Championships that will bring together the best runners, throwers and jumpers from 10 Micronesian entities. Others have already started preparing for the Micronesian Games to be held starting June 25th in Saipan.

These kids train hard at Andersen Field, a facility that is marginal at best. It is time for the state government to make a serious commitment to the youth of Chuuk. Sports facilities should be part of the basic infrastructure of the state, but there are several obstacles...

One major hurdle is JEMCO's refusal to consider the use of compact funds to build sports facilities. This is certainly a short sighted position and one that we can only hope will change with time. JEMCO fails to realize the social and health benefits of active and positive sports programs. While sons and daughters of JEMCO employees compete in state-of-the-art sports facilities in the USA, they deny opportunities to kids in Chuuk.

JEMCO calls for accountability and a balanced budget in Chuuk and Micronesia, which is a good thing, but exactly the same problems exist in the US government.

How can JEMCO deny Chuukese youth the opportunity to play basketball, wrestle, lift weights and run in decent facilities? For many years the United States has talked about the "Special Relationship" that exists between these two countries whose histories are intertwined.

When one considers how much the French government has contributed to New Caledonia's sports program, with great success, one can only hope that JEMCO and the US government will come to realize that by helping youth in sports they are making a positive and long term investment in the future of Micronesia.

Hopefully JEMCO's attitude will change with time.

Sports & Recreation Facilities Important for Good Health

2005-11-11T18:40:00.000-08:00

Come on JEMCO - support healthly activities for youth!

Yes to schools and textbooks & Sports Facilities too

2005-11-11T18:34:00.000-08:00

Waiting on JEMCO

JEMCO is Concerned: Reply by Knowledgeable JEMCO employee

2005-11-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

Clark,

I'll start this off by saying I have a great amount of respect and admiration for your tireless efforts in working with the youth of Chuuk State in sports development.

Should an apology come from the JEMCO which decided that a priority should be placed on constructing classroom and health facilities as well as potable water and sewer systems in Chuuk? I also just read an article that stated that residents on the islands of Onari and Onou are suffering from sever food shortages.

It was difficult for OIA to recommend approval of a $5 million outdoor stadium and a $2 million track and field when you have school facilities in conditions as depicted in the attached photo. It ain't Punahou.

Steve Savage

PCV's Sent to Micronesia when US failed to provide adequare education & health care to islanders

2005-11-11T18:24:00.000-08:00

Peace Corps Teacher on Remote Island: Late '60s

Response to JEMCO: The US is part of the problem

2005-11-11T18:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Steve,

Thank you very much for your reply. It is appreciated as well as your work to improve the education and health facilities in Chuuk, the two most important areas in terms of community growth and well being. No one is suggesting that schools and good health care should be overlooked.

However, I am not crying out for the Superdome or the Athens Olympic Stadium, nor am I suggesting JEMCO fund a "$5 million outdoor stadium and a $2 million track and field..." nor has the US government ever seemed interested, until recently, in creating excellent schools.

One person made excellent comments:

JEMCO is right to refuse the use of compact infrastructure grant money to acquire land for public purposes. However, to use infrastructure funds (or education sector funds) to build much needed minimal sports facilities on land already owned by the state would go a long way to create a sense of harmony and cooperation between the "Great White Father" and his less fortunate "associates."

Unfortunately, you are not trying to build a Punahou - although I think it would be a good idea and there may be ways to do Punahou-type education if JEMCO and Chuukese had the vision and guts to try and make it happen. Xavier actually conducted several innovative marine and maritime education projects that rivaled anything Punahou has done. And, these programs could be done in public high schools in Chuuk “if” the Chuuk State School System (CSSS) had the vision and willingness to allow such programs to take place – which for years they have not been interested in doing.

Lets continue with the Punahou analogy: You mention the schools in your pictures are not Punahou. But why not? Well to build and operate a school like Punahou requires years of hard work and good administration - which would take us back to TTPI and Compact I times.

I agree that education provides the tools for a child's success in the future. We must have better schools and along with that we must find ways to provide youth with opportunities to build self-esteem in sports, engage in healthful physical activities which would help reduce the "diseases of development" (including tobacco and alcohol use)... Also, what about art and music... This is part of a well rounded education system. In fact, it may be the bait that entices kids to study and stay in school.

Your photos send a clear message that education is not well cared for by the Chuuk government, the CSSS AND the FSM national government. Why the FSM national government (and HESA) is never held accountable for the poor system in Chuuk is a question that should be answered. Have you ever asked the FSM national government why they allow horrible facilities to over 50% of their population?

One picture in particular that you sent reminds me of what I found when I went to my first day of class as a Peace Corps TESL teacher. Of course those schools were administered by the US TTPI Government. In fact, the Peace Corps was sent to Micronesia because the United States had failed to live up to its trusteeship responsibilities: education being one of the major issues.

Schools got much worse under Compact I - and all of the photos you sent seem exactly the way many schools looked under Compact I - but there was little intervention nor outcry by the US government.

During the TTPI and Compact I times there were very concerned US citizens who wondered why their government didn't do something to improve the schools and require accountability. Some of these citizens reported problems to their congressmen back home. They wanted better schools for Chuukese and accountability of their tax dollars. And in some cases their cries of misspending and lack of educational facilities caused congressmen to seek answers.

One day years ago I was sitting in the Continental Hotel dining room having coffee. At the next table were two Americans. It turned out they were from the US government and had been sent to Chuuk to investigate claims of misappropriation and misuse of education funds by the Chuuk State Department of Education. Their conversation turned to their work and one of the men said,

"We know the funds were misused so what will be done about it?"

His associate replied, "The US administration's position at this time is
to leave things alone..."

...And nothing was done!

Now we are trying to do something, "a day late and a dollar short." Many of us are convinced that if the United States had set a better example, had focused on education and health care during the TTPI and Compact I days, that things would be much better today.

As the old TT legal argument went, "We do not have to right the wrongs of prior administrations...' but that is exactly what JEMCO is trying to do and must do… But this time, the prior administration is not Japanese, it is US (United States).

Please understand that I am not placing the blame solely on America; Micronesians are also responsible for these education and health disasters. Ultimately parents and/or the primary care givers are responsible for their children. Both countries, and this is something JEMCO must come to grips with, and their leaders are to blame, responsible for the horrible conditions that we find Chuukese children forced to endure today...

JEMCO is not simply righting the wrongs of the Chuukese and FSM administrations, but must also realize that it must finally face the fact the they are dealing with the "wrongs of (their own) prior administrations."

Therefore, while you build better schools and get textbooks into the hands of every student, and demand that teachers actually be in the classroom teaching (something difficult for JEMCO to check on because your offices are in Honolulu - not unlike the old military and TTPI periods) don't forget that kids read about things they love. Harry Potter, Star Wars, sports heroes, and they want to make those dreams part of their reality. So, lets work together to make schools the best they can be. And don't forget there needs to be a place where healthy physical activity is possible, where kids can kick a soccer ball, and youth can run and jump and shoot and spike (and sing and paint and dream).

Steve, I certainly appreciate your taking the time to reply and want you to know that we must all continue working to improve facilities. I simply believe that there are three: education, health and recreational facilities. I have some ideas regarding what "recreational facilities should be" and it might be in everyone's best interest if we sat and talked about such facilities when next you visit Chuuk. I am not simply talking about a track where kids run in circles, but a more comprehensive (not expensive and very practical) concept which includes learning areas as well. Perhaps the blog article will be the catalyst for future conversations leading to better opportunities for all - something I know we both want.

Hoping this letter finds you well, I remain,

Sincerely yours,
Clark Graham

A Response to JEMCO

2005-11-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

Mr. Savage:

I have had the opportunity to read your response to Clark’s initial e-mail, and his subsequent letter to you. I have asked Clark to read this, and if he agrees fully with what is conveyed here to send it on to you. At this point I wish to remain nameless, not because of what I say here, which I have often said before, but because often people color their understanding of what is said by their perceptions of the people who are offering their opinions. I hope that you will take what I say here in good faith, and understand that my thoughts are offered out of a deep respect and affection for the people of Micronesia, and the Chuukese people in particular.

Clark is concerned, as I understand it, that JEMCO decided that using Compact infrastructure sector funding for athletic facilities is a poor use of the funds, especially given the abysmal condition of the schools and medical facilities in Weno, particularly, and generally throughout Chuuk State. No doubt Clark feels, and I agree, that athletics helps build strong minds as well as strong bodies, and a strong program of athletics coupled with efforts to reduce substance abuse will have positive long term effects not only on the participating athletes but on the larger society as well. I have to assume, unless you have not had the benefit of a liberal education, that you must agree with the Greek philosophers who adopted this approach to the building of strong societies over 2,500 years ago. So I must also assume that the problem is one of competing priorities, all of which are important, and all of which must be addressed if the societal problems in Chuuk and most of Micronesia are to be adequately addressed going forward.

I do not personally feel it is constructive, however, to denigrate Chuuk by casting aspersions on the facilities there (I have seen the photographs, even before you attached them to your response to Clark, and I have seen the facilities themselves first hand) by comparing them with Punahou. As you are no doubt aware, Punahou is a school with an enrollment of approximately 3,750 students, which charges $12,885 per year in tuition for attendance, not including meals, generating revenues in excess of $45 million per year, if my math is correct. It was founded in 1841, while foreigners still feared for their lives in the waters around Chuuk, and dared not venture into the lagoon at all due to an all too real fear that their ships would be seized and they would be killed. It has had the benefit of being located in a place which has had stable government for over a century, and the benefit of a long term connection to and support of the United States. It has also had the benefit of being in a place where outside capital investment has been welcomed.

Chuuk, on the other hand, is a place where foreigners feared to tread. While the Spanish colonized Palau, and Yap, and Guam and the Marianas, Chuuk was avoided like a plague. While the Germans readily colonized Pohnpei, and even went so far as to replace local land tenure systems with the German model, Chuuk was, until the Christian missionaries came to the Mortlocks in the early 1870s, totally isolated and unaffected by outside cultural influences, other than the guns the Spanish traded for copra, fish and fresh water.

This being given, it is not difficult to understand why Chuuk has been so problematic, when compared to Pohnpei and Kosrae and Yap, and indeed the other regions of Micronesia. Isolation from other cultures stimulates and encourages fear of other cultures, and distrust of outsiders, especially in an insular society. I believe that a significant aspect of the problems which confront Chuuk today is a deep distrust of America and Americans, and an ambivalence toward their assistance. I have often been told, and it is evident to anyone who inquires, that the Chuukese want our money but don’t want us around. They like the cash, but don’t trust the people.

In my opinion, when the Compact of Free Association was first negotiated the U.S. created out of whole cloth the majority of the problems which exist today in the FSM. We told the people of the future FSM that we would give them huge amounts of financial aid if they would adopt western style democratic systems of government. We did not, however, give them any assistance in developing the institutions and systems upon which a democracy depends. We did not attempt to educate them in how to establish an open and accountable government, or in the subtle aspects of a government “by the people,” where duly elected representatives act out of enlightened self-interest to use available financial resources for the common good. We just gave them the millions, and told them to use it as they saw fit.

If you review the first Compact, you will no doubt realize that there are no provisions in the entire treaty which provide the United States with any enforcement tools. The only thing the U.S. reserved to itself was the right to conduct an annual audit. Even if the audit revealed massive fraud, corruption and abuse, we had no right to stop the money, or to demand accountability, or to step in and correct the problems. We completely left the Micronesian people to themselves, and by payment of tribute, washed our hands of the problem. As the Solomon report recommended, the U.S. gave the FSM, and indeed all of Micronesia, enough money to make them dependent upon us. We did not provide them with any assistance in learning the fundamentals of how to best deal with this fortune for their common good, and to avoid the unfortunate dependency which now exists, especially in Chuuk.

Ask yourself what you would do, as a Micronesian schooled only in clan based social systems, if some outside entity said they would give you millions of dollars a year if you would establish a democratic government and use the money for the benefit of the whole community. Would you, as the leader of your clan, immediately set up democratic institutions, hire experts, develop a plan of development, begin the construction of major infrastructure projects which could never be paid for with the sums provided, and provide the best schools and hospitals that the money could provide? Or would you immediately set about to get your relatives elected to positions in the government, dole out government jobs to your relatives, arrange for projects which would deliver government funds to your relatives, set about to buy land from your relatives at inflated prices using government funds, and to sell public land to your relatives at prices significantly below market value? Would you, as a powerful municipal leader apparently did, solicit the Japanese for free fiberglass boats and outboard engines, and then sell the boats at full market price to the municipalities of Faichuk, where you were in effect the “capo di tutti capo”? Would you – could you – avoid corruption in favor of good government, given that your entire history was based on clan versus clan, us against them, we have to get ours even if it means they don’t get theirs?

These problems were exacerbated by the prior history of the U.S. in Chuuk. During the Trust Territory time, a decision was made to locate all government institutions on Weno, to the exclusion of all other regions. We built electrical generation capacity, limited paved roads, a hospital, a waste system, and a rudimentary water delivery system, to serve the Trust Territory government on Weno. We built a large high school on Weno, and expected those who sought an education to find their way to the school. We built an imposing courthouse to serve the judiciary of the Truk District, and an executive compound to serve the needs of the District Administrator, and expected those who sought justice, or assistance from the Government, to find their way to Weno. We established a Land Commission, and proceeded to survey and determine ownership of property on Weno. Tonoas is also a Land Registration Area, but as of today people still do not have certificates of ownership for much of that island. My understanding is that no part of Faichuk is within a Land Registration Area. We as a nation made no effort to develop any other region within the lagoon, preferring, apparently, to permit the residents of the Southern Namoneas and Faichuk regions to live as they had lived for millennia, without electricity, water storage, roads, sewers, or any of the other infrastructure needs of the more than 20,000 people living in those regions.

A review of the first Compact reveals that Chuuk received approximately $180 million in CIP grants during the first eighteen years. A review of the infrastructure development plan for the Faichuk region, commissioned in the early 1980’s as part of the initial Compact negotiations, establishes that the calculated cost of completing all infrastructure needs for that region of 15,000 or more souls was in excess of $230 million in 1983 dollars. If you were Chuukese, what would you do if you knew you would receive $180 million over the fifteen years of the initial Compact for infrastructure, and the cost of infrastructure development in Faichuk alone would exceed that sum by more than $50 million? Would you even begin the effort? Would you, as a Chuukese, have the talent, skills, educated labor force, and political abilities, to marshal the forces needed to even begin such a project, knowing that you would never have enough to complete it, let alone fund infrastructure development in Southern Namoneas or complete the necessary infrastructure for Weno?

Or would you just give up before you began, and resort to what has always worked best for you? Wouldn’t you just appropriate the money for fake seawalls, and hire more relatives in the government than the government had work for, and buy boats for your relatives, or cars to drive on Weno, and bags of rice and turkey tails for people who would vote for you, and drop cash in the wedding and funeral baskets, so that you looked like a big man in your village?

Which logically brings us to the present, and the amended Compact provisions for infrastructure sector development. If my understanding is correct, Chuuk stands to receive +/- $200 million in infrastructure sector grants over the twenty-year term of the agreement as amended. The report on the costs of repairing, replacing, and building out the needed infrastructure for the Faichuk region alone, commissioned and completed as part of the negotiations leading up to the amended Compact, indicates that the cost of completing the infrastructure for Faichuk exceeds $700 million. Haven’t we as a nation again placed the people of Chuuk into the same position we placed them before – without any hope that serious gains can be made on completing even minimal infrastructure improvements? Why should we expect their behavior to change if we don’t even provide them with the tools and resources to help themselves?

And I believe it is fair to ask, what are we doing now to assist the Chuukese, and to provide them with reasons why they should trust us to act in their best interests? When an American presence in Chuuk was most needed, we removed the Civic Action Team. When we had an opportunity to locate JEMCO staff on the ground in the FSM, we put them in a high rise with 12-foot glass walls in Honolulu. If my information is correct, the former Ambassador to the FSM lobbied long and hard with OIA to have your staff located in the FSM, to no avail.

When we have the right and power under the Compact to provide U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance in planning and developing infrastructure improvements, the Corps is nowhere in sight. We demand government accountability, but there is no representative from either the FSM Public Auditor’s Office or the FSM Department of Justice legal staff permanently in Chuuk. Instead of a significant local oversight presence, a stealth audit of Education Department funds is conducted, and Chuuk is punished for the criminal actions of previous administrations.

I hope you do not misunderstand me, Mr. Savage. In no way do I now, nor have I ever, condoned the outright criminal conduct of the elected and appointed officials of the Government of Chuuk State. My views on corruption in Chuuk, and how best to approach it and end it, are well known to many there and elsewhere. But the goal, as I see it, should be to provide as much assistance as we can possibly provide to improve the situation in Chuuk. Punishing the entire society for the past wrongs of their elected representatives will only further isolate Chuuk, and increase the distrust of the Chuukese people, at a time when we should be doing everything possible to gain their trust and help them out of this spiral of negativity.

In answer to the question you posed to Clark, no, JEMCO should not apologize for determining that education and health care infrastructure are of the highest priority in Chuuk. Because they are. Just as the reduction in the size of government should be a priority. Just as enforcement of the laws against government corruption and in favor of proper fiscal management should be a priority. And just as basic athletic facilities, so that the children of Chuuk have a safe place to play, and become physically and mentally strong, in order to better face the significant problems which exist in Chuuk, should be a priority. These are all urgent needs, and there are not funds enough to meet them all.

So what should we do? Do as the Chuukese have done in the past, just throw up our hands and admit that the problems are so large and intractable that they cannot be solved? Punish rather than prod, hurt rather than help, condemn rather than cooperate? Of course not. It is my view that as a nation we have an obligation to the people of Micronesia in general, and Chuuk especially, to do everything possible to address all priorities, and to assist in developing plans to improve life across the board in that region. And I am certain that you agree with that. The problems, as difficult as they may be, can be solved by people of good will.

Put Americans on the ground in Chuuk. Confront the corruption with an actual presence, so that no one believes for a moment that the distance between the overseer and the recipient is so great that the corruption can continue unabated. Encourage, possibly to the point of insistence, the national government to put a law enforcement presence, including a Deputy Attorney General, in Chuuk permanently. Put people on the ground to assist in identifying immediate infrastructure needs, and to assist in finding the contractors necessary to do the work to completion. Establish a Corps of Engineers presence in Chuuk to oversee all construction and infrastructure development, so that problems such as the water system and Legislature building debacles never occur again. If I am correct, and I believe I am, the cost of a permanent presence on the ground in Chuuk will be recovered 100 fold in the improvements made as a result of that presence.

I don’t know how much a 400-meter all weather track built on Andersen Field would cost. I have tried to find out, and will continue to do so. But I bet you can find out in a second, by contacting the people you know in Palau and in Yap and asking them. I also do not know how much it will cost to repair Sapuk elementary, or Weno Junior High school, or any of the other schools throughout Chuuk so desperately in need of repair. But I do know that major projects, properly designed and implemented, will employ currently unemployed young men and women, which will give them hope for a future. I am informed that infrastructure sector funds can be advanced by way of “concession loans” so that as much as $50 million could become available immediately, to be repaid at $5 million per year out of annual infrastructure sector grants, to really get a leg up on the problems which exist, still leaving approximately $5 million per year for newly identified projects.

I also am certain that the United States can assist the FSM in obtaining other funding from other Pacific Rim nations. Japan has made grants to Palau in excess of $40 million over the past ten years. South Korea is interested in investing in Micronesia. You are no doubt aware of the interest in the FSM expressed by the People’s Republic of China. Australia and New Zealand have already been generous to the FSM, and have the ability to be even more generous. But in order to tap these extraordinary resources, the U.S. has to be a leader. We have to stop this “tough love” long enough to provide some encouragement, and we have to find a way to let the people of the FSM in general, and the people of Chuuk in particular, know that we are more interested in seeing them succeed than we are in punishing them for past indiscretions.

Should an all-weather track be built in Chuuk? Of course. Should significant improvements to the gym at Chuuk High School be made? Of course. Should the United States be encouraging alternatives for the children of Chuuk to dropping out of school, drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana, and making and utilizing “Philippine” slingshots and committing suicide? I think you and I can both agree that we should be doing that.

I think it is more important, Mr. Savage, to constantly seek ways to do as much as possible to improve the situation, and to call upon the Chuukese leadership to work with us to find ways to accomplish what I know to be our mutual desires. There is a deep wellspring of goodness in Chuuk, waiting to be tapped. No, Chuuk High School is not Punahou, but that does not mean that the children of Chuuk deserve less than we can give them. And I believe, if we put our minds to it, we can find a way to give them both better schools and basic athletic facilities. I hope that you agree with me, do not take offense at my directness, and will use your best efforts to accomplish great things for these kind and good people who deserve so much more than they have yet received.

Micronesian Voices and Ways Need to be Considered

2005-11-11T18:09:00.000-08:00

Working together to achieve success.

A Micronesian Voice

2005-11-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

As an islander, I thank you and all that you do to help our peoples and islands. Please, involve us more in the whole process as owners of ideas, projects and methods directed at helping ourselves. Ask us too what we think the roots of our problems are. Or, what we feel could be the best solutions. Or, how we should go about doing the projects without causing more harm to who we are and what's entrusted to us. Then help us by empowering us until we can stand on our own feet. The hope is that a day will come when we will be partners - no longer one above the other. And please forgive us for not being ourselves for some times - the ocean and canoe peoples who were once a proud, responsible and self sufficient peoples group. The future can be better because of people (who take time to listen to us and also provide assistance).

Chuuk's Youth: Athleticism, Heart, Determination, but...

2005-11-09T03:40:00.000-08:00

no facilities, little interest and no support!

2005-11-01T05:41:00.000-08:00

Substance & Violence Free Sports Important for our Youth

2005-08-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

Do your children have textbooks?

2005-08-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Teachers should make lesson plans and be well prepared to teach their classes.

2005-08-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Schools should teach our children to be proud of who they are.

Parents are the Key to Improving Our Schools

2005-08-15T13:32:00.000-07:00

WHAT CAN BE DONE?
It is important that parents must become proactive on behalf of their children.

• Become active at your child’s school: volunteer to help clean it, make repairs, attend all school meetings.

• If you have questions about the school - what your child is being taught, school hours, too many days of school canceled, discipline, school problems, how to help the school - ask them.

• If your child’s teachers are frequently absent, report it to the school, to the Chuuk State School System and to your elected leaders.

Make certain that your child gets a good education! If the parents don't care or speak out, who will?

XHS Entrance Exam Results: Chuuk Schools Must Improve

2005-08-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

The results of the 2005 Xavier High School (XHS) entrance exam are completed. Approximately 1,100 students throughout Micronesia took the exam. Only 50 freshman will be accepted.

Once again Chuuk students performed the worst of all. Following is a comparison of the Island Nations.

KOSRAE
29 took the test and 18 passed (62% pass rate)

PALAU
70 took the test and 43 passed (61% pass rate)

POHNPEI
363 took the test and 148 passed (41% pass rate)

YAP
60 took the test and 14 passed (23% pass rate)

MARSHALLS
270 took the test and 39 passed (14% pass rate)

CHUUK
206 took the test and 19 passed (9% pass rate)

Our children did not fail, the system failed our children! This must stop! The system must be made to function correctly. How long will this be allowed to continue?

The Good (Congress Office), the Bad & the Ugly (CHS Gym)

2005-07-20T15:46:00.000-07:00

Have you ever visited the FSM Congress Office in the Nantaku area of Weno Island? It is located next to the Chuuk High School (CHS) gym. The congressional office, the CHS gym and possibly more of the CHS campus sit on land owned by the national government. Doesn’t that make the FSM government responsible in some way for the facilities on their property and what goes on there?

In order to get to the congress office, a person must go past the gym which is directly to their left, and when they leave the office, the gym is on their right.

Two questions arise, the second being the more important one:
1) What is it people see as they walk past?
2) What do they think about the condition of the gym, or do they even care?

The FSM congressional building is clean and neat, nestled off the road, surrounded by a chain link fence and locked after hours, a grandfather’s clock can be seen in the foyer, and there is a large, smooth and clean cement parking lot. Inside there are toilets and running water. It is what you expect when you think of a government office.

The CHS gym stands in stark contrast to the office building. It is not at all what you think a high school gymnasium should be like. If the congress office building is the “The Good,” the CHS gym is “the Bad & the Ugly.” The contrast will shock your senses!

You really should visit the area someday and take a look at the difference between the building for Chuuk’s congressmen and the CHS gym. Here is a quick comparison:

• The congressional building’s grounds are clean; the gym grounds are littered with trash.

• A fence surrounds the congressional building for security and the gate locked; there is no fence around the gym.

• The congressional building is locked; the gym locks were recently broken off both doors & is now open 24 hours a day.

• The congressional building is clean inside; the gym is cleaner than before, but still has a long way to go. Graffiti and betel nut spit is again visible on the gym walls and pillars.

• The congressional building has electricity; the gym has its wiring torn from the walls.

• The congressional building has bathrooms inside; the gym & CHS have no bathrooms for youth – not to mention the 1000+ students who attend CHS.

• The congressional building’s cement parking lot is much better than the gym floor where our youth are expected to train and play: the floor is cracked and chipped into it are people’s names, phrases and recently a checkerboard.

• The congressional building does not allow drinking inside; the gym is a place that has been frequented by drunks.

• The congressional building is well protected, the gym has no security.

• The elected officials are protected and safe; our youth are exposed & vulnerable.

Recently several government leaders have been putting a lot of pressure on the COM – Chuuk Campus administration to take over the Chuuk High School complex - classrooms, congressional office and gym – for their campus.

Do these leaders have the best interest of the Chuuk’s youth at heart, or are they trying, like Pilate, to wash their hands of the problems of security, substance use and violence that exist in and around this area, especially the CHS gym?

There is no doubt that the CHS gym and the entire school campus needs to be cared for as well as the FSM Congressional Building, but to date no serious steps have been taken to resolve existing problems and concerns.

So, as the plot thickens, the question of responsibility and accountability remains. What is going to be done to improve conditions for Chuuk's youth and the students using the gym and school buildings? The CHS gym is an eyesore and a place where you probably don't want your children to go or your athletes to practice.

"I'm Dying to Chew!"

2005-07-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

The facts are in:
1) Betel nut chewing with or without tobacco causes cancer.
2) Retailers in Chuuk and throughout the FSM target youth.
3) Cancer rates will go up, possibly even among children, as chewing continues.

7 August 2003 | GENEVA

Chewing betel quid with tobacco is carcinogenic to humans. The new evaluation goes further to conclude that chewing betel quid without tobacco is also carcinogenic to humans.

A CANCER-CAUSING HABIT
The expert working group has determined that betel quid with tobacco causes oral cancer, cancer of the pharynx, and cancer of the oesophagus in humans. Betel quid without tobacco is now known to cause oral cancer in humans.

A NEW CAUSE FOR CONCERN
In recent years, a variety of mass-produced, pre-packaged areca-nut products have become available in many countries around the world. Aggressive advertising, targeted at the middle class and at children, has enhanced the sales and use of these products. In some parts of India, almost one out of three children and teenagers regularly or occasionally chew these products. Some have viewed such products without tobacco (for example, pan masala) as a safe alternative to betel quid with tobacco. The evidence shows that these products have led to oral disease, even among children, and that use of these products cannot be considered safe.

Article taken from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2003/priarc/en/

The CHS Gym After Being Cleaned & the Walls Painted

2005-07-11T03:27:00.000-07:00

Youth need a clean place in which to play & practice.

The Chuuk High School Gym

2005-07-11T02:58:00.000-07:00

The photos posted on this blog site June 21st were taken before the CHS administration cleaned the gym for graduation. The picture preceeding this article shows you a clean, secure, locked gym.

The CHS administration did their best with the limited resources available to them to clean up the facility. The floor was cleaned, the inside walls were painted, and the gym locked to prevent people from entering.

Unfortunately, vandals again broke into the gym and it is now open for anyone to enter and do whatever they want. The school administration is frustrated. They have tried again and again to secure the gym so it stays clean and safe. Sports people share this frustration too.

The state needs to do something about this recurring problem. SHIP/HOOPS is trying to assist and has submitted a proposal that hopefully will start the process for improvement. It is essential that the gym be kept locked when not in use, that security be present, that it is kept clean, drug and violence free.

Let's hope it gets the support it deserves. The gym should be " a clean well lighted place" that offers a healthy and safe physical environment where students and others can come to play.

Just one of Many Stores That Sell Alcohol

2005-07-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

How many stores in your village sell alcohol?

Preschool Students Know about Alcohol Consumption

2005-07-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

One day at the Sapuk Head Start Center on Weno Island, an education worker talked to children about alcohol. After discussing the dangers of alcohol, the worker asked, "Where does drinking take place?"

Several children raised their hands and said, "Fan ewe mangko."

When the same question was asked at P&P Head Start Center, one student replied, "Re wun Nekon"

Children see everything and know what is going on in their community. What is it your chilren see in your village?

Store Advertising Tobacco, Puu and Beer

2005-07-02T21:22:00.000-07:00

This is what our children see in their villages

What a child sees, he does. What a child does, he is.

2005-06-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

What message are we sending to our youth?

“Mwiriiy saam “ - Children do what they see their father (adults) do

2005-06-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Acceptability is tied closely to what young people see peers, family and community leaders doing. Adults set examples for young people and it is not what adults tell them to do, but what they observe adults doing that cause our youth to act in a certain way.

Results of the Palau Youth Tobacco Survey (YTS) provide us with import insights to understanding why youth engage in chewing betel nut, and it’s because they regularly observe significant adults and their leaders chewing. Youth in Palau saw,

• 65.3% saw their Teachers/Principals chewing,
• 62.5% saw Police Officers chewing,
• 43.2% Doctors/Nurses/Dentists chewing,
• 42.9% Sports Coaches chewing,
• 14.3% Pastors/Priests/Nuns chewing… so, kids chew (smoke, drink take drugs, fight)!

Some FSM coaches have expressed concern that should their athletes be tested for doping at the South Pacific Mini-Games that, because they chew betel nut, they will test positive for a banned substance and not be allowed to compete. The question that also needs to be asked is, “How may of these coaches chew betel nut?

2005-06-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

If a community leader chews, chances are the youth of that community will also chew.

2005-06-30T19:38:00.000-07:00

If children see elders dancing, they will become dancers.

2005-06-30T19:37:00.000-07:00

What percentage of FSM youth have a coach who chews, with or without tobacco, thereby setting the wrong example for their athletes? The FSMNOC and national sports federations need to establish a policy for promoting substance free coaches, athletes, and spectators.

What percentage of FSM youth have seen a member of the clergy, his doctor, a teacher or police officer or community elder using substances? These organizations need to establish a policy for promoting substance free adults, thereby paving the way for youth to follow their positive example to remain drug free.

Selling Marijuana is Not a Life!

2005-06-30T04:31:00.000-07:00

$2.00 a joint

A Coke & Some Candy

2005-06-30T04:15:00.000-07:00

Not too long ago at the Andersen Field outdoor basketball court, a youth worker happened to see a 14 year old boy walking around with a couple of joints in his hand. He went up to the boy and asked, "What are you going to do with the marijuana cigarettes?"

"I'm going to sell them," the boy replied.

The youth worker continued, "What are you going to do with the money?"

"I'm gonna buy a Coke and some candy."

We need to stop the sale and consumption of marijuana in Chuuk and the FSM. Kids deserve a better life than selling joints for "a Coke and some candy," and they should play at a place that is drug and violence free.

Support Drug and Violence Free Playgrounds!

Smoke, Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette

2005-06-21T04:09:00.000-07:00

For the last few days teachers at one of the Weno Elementary Schools have been observed smoking immediately outside their classroom. There is a Chuuk State School System (CSSS) policy that forbids smoking on school grounds or educational offices, but no one enforces it.

In fact, if you go to the CSSS office in Nantaku be prepared to get a shot of second hand smoke. There is absolutely no reason to tolerate or allow education personnel to smoke, thereby setting bad examples for their students. But here are some realities for the tobacco educators in Chuuk and national level, some of whom have done very little to enforce smoking laws.

• You can smoke outside your classroom.
• You can smoke in the CHS gym.
• You can smoke in the CSSS Offices
• You can smoke in the COCA Office (Head Start)
• At the Saramen Chuuk Academy Development Center (gym) there is a double standard. If you are a student, it is against the rules to smoke there. However, if you are a member of the clergy or a deacon, or an adult, you can smoke there.

it is the job of tobacco educators to make certain that the youth of your state and nation get the message that, SMOKING IS THE SINGLE LARGEST KILLER OF PEOPLE. Instead, the director of education, principals, and teachers are sending the wrong message to our kids.

Smoking is done by educators in class, outside the classroom, at the education office, at the Head Start Center Office (one of the worst offenders). It is everyone's job to see that tobacco laws are enforced, but some people just want to step outside and light up... Is it any wonder that our the kids are confused... and hooked on tobacco!

Traditional Scene

2005-05-31T20:51:00.000-07:00

Life in traditional Micronesia

Life For Some Youth Today

2005-05-31T20:48:00.000-07:00

Selling Coconuts in downtown Weno Island

We Must Better Prepare Our Youth & the General Public for Today's World

2005-05-31T20:32:00.000-07:00

"The times they are a changing..." and we must strive to adapt and adjust to a new way of life...

Recently representatives from the Salvation Army’s Family Service Center in Guam came to Chuuk to meet with local leaders, NGO’s and concerned citizens about how to make Chuukese aware of what a move to Guam entails.

The Family Services Center director provided statistics which pointed clearly to the need for greater awareness and understanding by Chuukese migrating to Guam about what to expect, laws that must be followed, and realities of life there.

2003 information from the Guam Police Department provide insightful and alarming statistics. Although “FSM” citizens (all people from FSM, Palau & Marshall Islands are placed in this category) make up on 7% of the population, they are responsible for the following actions:
•Aggravated Assault – 34% (69% are Chuukese)
•Stolen Property – 37%
•Driving under the influence – 34% (60% are Chuukese)
•Drunkenness – 53%
•Disorderly Conduct – 25%

These statistics are alarming and point to the need for Chuuk State and the entire Micronesian region to begin addressing the social problems facing her people today.

A SHIP/HOOPS youth worker pointed out that, “…these statistics are alarming and should serve as a wakeup call for government, community and religious leaders that more needs to be done throughout the islands. People need to realize that the problems that are documented in Guam stem from a lack of education, interpersonal and social skills acquired (or not learned) in the home, community and church."

These problems will not simply go away by themselves, and ignoring them will only allow matters to get worse. We must begin a dialogue that will lead to acquiring better interpersonal skills, with wiser youth, parents and citizens, prepared to live in their home islands or abroad.

Tradition & Culture

2005-05-21T15:59:00.000-07:00

Don't teach your child to smoke and drink. Teach him to be proud of his traditions.

Respect Women

2005-05-21T15:58:00.000-07:00

Warriors don't abuse women, they respect and protect them.

Inenap: Oupu noum nge kosap un supwa!

2005-05-20T20:24:00.000-07:00

Inenap repwe oupu nour kewe monukon. Chonun oup a auchea ngeni manawan semirit pokitan mei pwisin wor Vitamen-A non.Nge ewe inenap esop un supwa!(Mothers should breast feed their children. Breast milk is high in Vitamen-A. However, mothers should not smoke!)

Anyone Can Buy Tobacco in Chuuk

2005-05-19T17:29:00.000-07:00

A youth worker was walking in Mwan Village when he saw a young boy coming toward him carrying a carton of Doral cigarettes. The youth worker asked, “Where did you get the cigarettes?”

“At that store,” replied the boy.

The youth worker then asked, “Don’t you know that you are too young to buy cigarettes?”

“I am not, I am 14 years old!”

In Chuuk State there has never been a retailer fined for selling tobacco to minors!

Lack of Enforcement of Tobacco Laws is Killing Our Kids!

2005-05-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

It is illegal to sell tobacco to chldren under 18. Keep Micronesian kids tobacco free!

Apasa "Ewer" ngeni Sports! Apasa "Apw" ngeni Drugs! (Say "Yes" to Sports! Say "No" to Drugs!)

2005-05-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

Sports mei och! Puu, Supwa, Sakau mei ngau!(Sports are good! Betel Nut, Tobacco, Alcohol are bad!)

Women in Sports

2005-05-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

Nengen ir mei pwan tongeni.

Keep Our Kids Substance Free

2005-05-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Tumunu manawen chon Chuuk!

Tumunu on Famili

2005-05-08T14:12:00.000-07:00

Apetir seni metoch (puu, snuff, supwa, sakau, drugs) epwe tongeni angawa ar tufich non sports, non sukun, pwan non eereeni!

Winners Don't Smoke!

2005-05-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

Chon nuus ra un Doral! Chon win ra practice, nge rese angei supwa!

Don't Drink & Drive

2005-05-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

Ika ka un sakau, kosap uwow taraku!

Kosap Un Supwa

2005-05-08T13:27:00.000-07:00

Tobacco Free Sports

Canoe Racing: A Traditional Sport

2005-05-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

Ereenien Chon Chuuk, rese ngung Buu!

Theme: Prosperity Through Healthy Choices

2005-05-06T15:41:00.000-07:00

Clark Graham talks about Prosperity through Healthy Choices

Health & Wellness Day at COM-Chuuk Campus

2005-05-06T15:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 5th was Health and Wellness Day at the COM – Chuuk Campus. Sponsored and funded by college’s Peer Counseling Center with support from Student Activity Office, COM-FSM Chuuk Campus, it began with an early morning 5K Run/Walk: for results of this race go to Links and click on: Chuuk, Micronesia.

Health and Wellness Day Activities included speeches, health presentations, and a student speech and singing contest with the themes about wellness and health subjects.

Clark Graham, HOOPS, was the keynote speaker and spoke on the day’s theme: “Prosperity through Healthy Choices.” He challenged students to join with him and make Healthy Choices in their daily life and choose:

• to not chew, smoke, or drink
• to be drug free
• to be violence free
• to exercise
• to eat healthy food
• to make intelligent lifestyle choices
• to make my own decisions and not be led by peers/friends into a bad choice

He was followed by Ms. Eleanor Sos and Dr. Dorina who made an excellent HIV/AIDS & STDs presentation by (see the article on “HIV/AIDS Information”).

Winners for the speech contest were:
• Kasmira Kanas, from Fefen Island, first place.
• Benedict Saipwerik, from Houk Island, second place.
• Kemsky Terry, from Moch Island, third place.

The singing contest was so close that the judges decided to make awards to all participants for a job well done. Participants included:
• J.M. Sowas
• Benedict Saipwerik
• Mac Emwalu and Gang

A special thanks must also go to the other health services presenters:
• Non-communicable Diseases, Mrs. Moria Bisalen
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Mr. Carlos Ang
• Rural Sanitation, Mrs Cathy Mori

HIV/AIDS: FSM & Pacific Region

2005-05-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

Presenter: Ms. Eleanor Sos

Global Statistics
2003: 50,000,000 people with HIV
Annually: 40,000 people infected with HIV

Pacific
Country HIV Infected
Am. Samoa 6
Guam 177
CNMI 27
Palau 3
RMI 4
FSM 46
Kosrae 3
Yap 4
Pohnpei 1
Chuuk 38

FSM Cases

Year HIV Cases
1999 10
2000 17
2001 25
2002 27
2003 32
2004 36
2005 *46

Chuuk State HIV Statistics

Confirmed Cases 22
Pending 16
Female 18
Male 20
Age Cases
<13 4
20-29 17
30-39 13
40+ 3
Died 18
Living 20

Confidentiality
• It is an international policy not to reveal the names of HIV positive people.
• Confidentiality helps reduce stigma associated with HIV and allows people to come
forward to treatment.

What is HIV
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• It is the virus that causes AIDS

What is AIDS
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Classifications
• HIV positive
• Infection
• Symptioms of disease (diarrhea, colds, etc.)

How HIV is Transmitted
• Sexual Intercourse
• Mother to Baby
Pregnancy
Labor/Delivery
Beast Feeding
• Infected Blood: transfusion, contact with…
• Needle Sharing (tattoing)

Risky Behavior
• Heterosexual with multiple partners
• Homosexual
• Perinatal Transmission
• Needle Sharing (One case of HIV resulting from sharing tattoo needle)

Preventing HIV
• Practice abstinence, delay sex, no drugs, be faithful, one partner (This assumes
that your partner is only having relations with you).
• 70% protected by condom use
• Education and Public Awareness

Sexually Transmitted Infection
• Multiple partners
• Increased migration of people
• Sexual mixing of the population
• Media: TV/Videos
• 80% of the youth are not aware of STI

Letter from a HIV+ Chuukese youth
(This youth died of AIDS and a letter was found under his pillow)

(Because I have AIDS) “people stone our house, yell at us…”

“Papa you haven’t been to see me in the hospital. Mama, you too are here infrequently… I’m very sorry for the hate I’ve caused to be directed at our family… Please tell everyone how sorry I am… I am going to a peaceful place, but you will have to bear the burden of this disease.”

HIV/AIDS: More Information

2005-05-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

HIV/AIDS

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

The virus attacks the body's immune system, which is your defence against infections.
AIDS is the late stage of HIV infection and is life-threatening. People living with HIV may get infections such as an unusual type of pneumonia, or develop skin cancer or other types of cancers.

How HIV/AIDS is spread
The virus is spread through body fluids such as blood, semen, pre-semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.

The HIV virus can also be found in saliva (spit), sweat and tears, but only in very low amounts. These body fluids are not known to spread HIV infection.
To become infected with HIV, the virus must have a way into your body. This can occur during unprotected sex (vaginal, anal, oral) or when needles or other injecting (skin-piercing) equipment are shared. Sharing sex toys can also spread the virus from one partner to another.

HIV can be transmitted from an HIV positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, at the time of birth or afterwards during breastfeeding. That is why it is so important for any woman who is pregnant to be tested for HIV. Ask your doctor about HIV testing.

Personal items, such as toothbrushes and razors can have small amounts of blood on them from bleeding gums and shaving cuts. So even though the risk is very low, sharing personal items like toothbrushes and razors with someone who is infected could spread the HIV virus.

HIV is not spread by everyday social contact. Touching, hugging and shaking hands with a person living with HIV/AIDS are all safe. Insects and pets cannot spread HIV.
Some people worry that they can get HIV by donating blood in Canada, but this is not true. A new, sterile needle is used every time for every person who donates blood.
Donated blood in Canada is always checked for HIV so the chances of getting it from a blood transfusion are very, very low.

Having another STI increases your chances of:
• getting HIV from your HIV positive partner or
• giving HIV to your sexual partner if you are HIV positive.

How to tell if you have HIV
A simple blood test can tell you if you have HIV. It is called the HIV antibody test.
A positive test result means that you have HIV.

A negative result means that no antibodies to HIV were found in your blood at the time of testing. Most positive tests will show up within three months of a person becoming infected with HIV.

Lower your chances of getting HIV by
• discussing HIV and other STIs with your partner(s)
• considering other things like caressing and touching instead of having sex
• both of you being tested for HIV before having sex with a new partner
• having sex only with a partner who agrees to protect both of you
• remembering not to share items that could result in the exchange of blood, semen or vaginal fluids. This includes injection, piercing and tattooing equipment, sex toys, toothbrushes and razors

If you think you are at risk ...
Please see your doctor or go to your local health clinic for HIV testing if you are worried that you might have HIV. Ask about anonymous HIV testing.

If you have become HIV positive, then your sex partners, or others with whom you have shared needles or other injecting equipment must be told that they also may have been in contact with the virus. They will have to decide if they wish to be tested for HIV.

You might want to tell them yourself, but if you are not comfortable, talk to your doctor or nurse - they can help.

Protect your partners from HIV.

How HIV/AIDS is treated
There is no cure for HIV infection at this time. Once infected, you have HIV for life. Several treatments have been developed that may slow the progress of HIV, but there is no cure.

COULD THIS BE YOU?
"HIV affects only gay guys. As long as I have sex with girls, I'm going to be okay."

DID YOU KNOW
This is not true! HIV is spread by direct sexual contact with anyone who has HIV. In fact, the number of cases of heterosexual transmission (male-female sex) is increasing and is the number one mode of HIV transmission in the world.

2005-05-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

Chon Chuuk

SEMWENIN SUKE

2005-05-05T18:50:00.000-07:00

Met epwe amecheresi ne toruk semwenin suke?

• Omw kewe wesetan family (inomw me semomw) mei urir semwenin suke
• En seni fénúach kei chóón Pacific
• Kitinnupw
• Ese naf am mwokutukut me taiso
• Mei pin watte suke non cham ika omw me chekin suke me nomw
• En emén mi uruk feita cha
• Watte omw chekin cha ren cholesterol (ika kiris non cha)
• Een mei urok semwenin suke fansoun am pwoopwo. Are néum kewe mei wátte pourer nap
seni 9 lbs. atun ar upwutiw.

Local Food is Best

2005-05-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mwenge ekkewe mwenge mei epechekkuna inis

Túmwúnún Semwenin Suke

2005-05-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Met sipwe fééri am kopwe túmwúnú sonuk ekkewe osukosuken semwenin suke?

Am sineei échu kokotun túmwúnú ren semwenin suke epwe anisi Túmwúnúm péchékúnen inis. Am kokotoch epwe esenipato mecheresin angaang anongonong wóón:

• Sineey are osukuuna semwenin suke
• Mwéngé ekkewe mwéngé mei epéchékkúna inis
• Amwékútú inisich. Angaang are taiso
• Túmwúnún peche
• Chekiin maas
• Kkéwúno ne wún supwa
• Ekúkkúnu kinom
• Angei únumon sáfey are een mei nom wón
• Túmwúnún ngii me apwaanpwen ngii
• Chechekin cha/suke
•(Stress) Kútta áninisin ren epwe wor akinamwmwewi non ekkiek ne non nomw

Ese wor met epwe ammo eno semwenin suke, nge aramas mei wurir ewe samwaaw repwe manawetam me péchékún non unusen manawer ika re túmwúnú ar we semwenin suke.

Beer Does Not Make You a Man

2005-04-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

A Real Man Doesn't Need Beer to be a Man! Stay Alcohol & Drug Free!

2005-04-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Read or Tell Stories to Your Infant Everyday

Preparing Your Child to Learn

2005-04-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Saam me Iin
(Áámi ákkáewin me áúchchean chóón osukuun ngeni semiriit.)

Ifa Ussun Áai Upwe Ánisi neiwe Semiriit Aan epwe Monnotá Ngeni Ánneá mé Monnotá Ngeni Káeé.

•Echiwechiw iká kakkapas ngeni néúch kewe ménúkón iká semiriit aar repwe káeé kapas iká weweiti weween eew me eew kapas. Awora óómw fansoun kukkunow ngeniir pwan áiti ngeniir iten me napanapen ekkewe mettóóch mei wor nupwen óómw kukkunow ngeniir.

•Tuttunnap me anneá ngeni néúch kewe ménúkón me semiriit iteiten ráán esap kúkkún seni 20 minich. Áán ménúkon iká semiriit aússening ngeni tuttunnap aa ánisiir aar repwe weweiti kapas. Tuttunnap me ánneá ngeni néúch kewe semiriit iká ménúkón ina nampa eewin anen óómw anisiir aar repwe káeé.

•Kékkéén ngeni semiriit pwan echiwechiweer nupwen aar ménúkón aa toongeni ánisiir aar repwe aússeninga ekkewe ngingiin kapas. Ménúkón aa auchchee aar repwe rongorong kapas seni aramas nap seni aar repwe chék kákkáton Television (TV). Áán semiriit katon TV epwe fókkun kéúk fansoun.

•Nupwen fansoun kaa fééri ooch angaang neeimw, iká feinno nón sitoowa, fót irá, nó neeman, aa auchea kopwe apachaanong ewe semiriit aan epwe fituk nón ewe angaang. Kaa toongeni fééri, pwan apasa ngeni me eiteita ngeni iten mettóóch.

•Epwe wor eew neenien pisekin ewe semiriit, aan epwe kukkunou ngeniir. Eew chúúk iká pwóór epwe wor pwuk me pisekin maak nón.

•Aa fen auchchea óómw kopwe awora fansoun ne tuttunnap iká ánneá pwuk ngeniir nap seni aar kakaton chék TV.

•Óómw ná fansoun ngeni noumw semiriit aa toongeni ánisiir aar repwe nipwáákééch nón sukuun.

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Nóómw Nge Non Eei Fansoun

Nóómw nóómw, lon éérénien chon Chuuk nupwen emén mei miriit me sineenap epwe ketiwerong ngeni emén, ewe mei sineenap epwe chék ketiwerong non aan epwe fóós. Ewe chóón káéé epwe chék aussening me chechchemeni ekkewe mettóóch aa rongorong.

Nge lon eei fansoun, mei wesewesen auchcheea pwe emón aramas iká semiriit epwe nipwaakééch ne ánneá. Sine ánneá, eni iei ewe ákkáeewin mettóóch mei fokkun namwot aan epwe wor reen emén semirit.

2005-04-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

2005 ISC Athletics Championships: Keep Sports Tobacco & Drug Free!

2005-04-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

ISC Drug & Violence Free Sports & Dancing

2005-04-26T04:34:00.000-07:00

ISC Basketball: Half Time Dance Contest

ISC & HOOPS: Basketball & Dancing

2005-04-26T04:32:00.000-07:00

During the 2004-2005 high school basketball season, an exciting event took place at the Saraman Chuuk Academy gymnasium. People came to witness two activities. First, a waited for basketball match up between Xavier and Saramen Chuuk Academy, and the Interscholastic Sports Council’s (ISC) Substance and Violence Free You’ve Been Served Dance Contest, sponsored by the Bank of the FSM, Bank of Guam, Shigeto’s Store, John’s Video and Micronesian Legal Services.

When you walked into the gym you couldn’t help but notice there were many young people of all ages in attendance, tobacco, alcohol and drug free sports posters were displayed, and attendees received a brochure advising them not to use harmful substances, to respect one another, and to dance drug and violence free (brochures and posters created by HOOPS and funded by FSM SAMH).

Game Time: As XHS & SCA played a hard fought first half with teams going for lay-ups, passing, playing “D”, and fighting for rebounds, students chanted, “It’s all right, its ok, we can beat them anyway.”

Then it was half time. The Mixters, Sapuk, John’s Video, Xavier High School, Saramen Chuuk Academy, and Mechitiw dance groups’ time to strut their stuff. Wearing hip hop style “uniforms” displaying “da style” of “da boyz”… the beat changed and intensified.

“Put your hands together: clap–clap; I said put cha hands together…” umm, clap… umm, pop… umm, move… umm, rock.

Now it was time to watch a different kind competition, a team comprised of between 5-15 players. Athletes (dancers) who’d spent countless hours doing drills, training intensely, and learning new moves.

It was AMAZING… people were simply rocked away with a dance extravaganza that rivaled many seen in the United States. These kids can DANCE!

But why is the organization responsible for high school athletic programs bothering with a dance contest? Because the ISC realized several important issues needed to be addressed. Youth in Chuuk have been exposed to global media and music: MTV, hip hop, the recently produced and distributed “You Got Served” video.

Kids in Chuuk, like kids all over the world, were having dance contests. In some cases substances were involved. The ISC wanted to work in a positive way with youth, and believed that holding a dance contest, with rules that require no tobacco, alcohol, drugs and violence free competition, would put a positive spin on this activity, and it most certainly did.

Some advice for parents, teachers, youth workers, and church leaders: Make a point to go watch your neighborhood children and youth as they play sports, dance, participate in life, and be sure to encourage our youth to be tobacco, alcohol, substance and violence free.

“Don’t simply send your kids out of the house to play basketball and dance, share it with them. You’ll all be better for it.”

2005-04-26T04:26:00.000-07:00

Supwa mei afeiengauwa mwonukon

2005-04-26T04:19:00.000-07:00

Supwa mi afeiengau ngeni mwonukon!

2005-04-26T04:09:00.000-07:00

Atun supwa mei afeiengaua chon rese ukkun supwa, pwe ra ngaseraanong ewe "second-hand smoke" (atun unumen emon nge sia ngaseraanong)

Lifestyle Education Materials

2005-04-26T03:43:00.000-07:00

This Blog site is designed to give Chuukese lifestyle education materials. Lifestyle education is information about betel nut, tobacco, alcohol, drug and violence abuse, education and health information, and other topics of interest.

If you have any comments or suggestions please write to SHIP/HOOPS at cgchuuk2@mail.fm