Canoes of the Marshall Islands – Waan Aelõñ in Majel – Wa Kuk Wa Jimor


			
							
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
									
								
			
			
			
				
					Voyage to Aur Atoll
WAM's ocean-going canoe on the beach at Aur in June, 2015. The voyage was monitored by scientists.  
				
			
				
					Keeping it ship-shape
A WAM trainee adds an extra coat of paint to the trim on the ocean-going canoe Jitdam Kapeel. Photo: WAM
				
			
				
					Power to the trainees
Director Alson Kelen surrounded by the enthusiastic 2016 WAM trainees and trainers.
				
			
				
					National Pride
Brilliantly-colored canoes line a beach in Long Island as they await the start of the 2002 National Outrigger Cup. Photo: Karen Earnshaw
				
			
				
					Master of Wind and Waves
Master navigator Captain Joel Korent holds stick charts, which are key to training of novice navigators. Photo: WAM
				
			
				
					Carving out a New Life
Trainees show off their newly-learned carving skills to a group of visiting school children. Photo: WAM
				
			
				
					The Race is On
Crews prepare for the start of the Jabro race held in Ailinglaplap Atoll in 2003. Photo: Alson Kelen
				
			
				
					Making Headlines
A Fijian photographer rides on the fishing boat Wasabi to capture photos of a WAM canoe under sail. Photo: Karen Earnshaw
				
			
				
					Coconut Cup 2005
Canoes accidentally fall into perfect formation at the start of the 2005 Coconut Cup Regatta. Photo: Caleb McClennan

Welcome to the Waan Aelõñ in Majel (WAM) Program! Our program is committed to empowering young Marshallese men and women by giving them the skills they need to move forward into a sustainable and happy future. The program is nearly 30 years young and plans to be around for another 30!

What’s new at WAM

GEF Graduation
23 Aug 2017
August 11th was an exciting day for many. It marked a new kind of commencement for WAM as fourteen young men received certificates of completion in an Advanced Carpentry and Entrepreneurship Program. The program was a great success. This was displayed, by the beautiful handcrafted wood carvings, frames,and furniture made Continue reading
NTC Trainees Retreat to Eneko
4 Aug 2017
Every year the National Training Counsel (NTC) Trainees attend a Retreat Event held on the islet Eneko. This year is was held July 3-6, 2017 and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) trainees attended as well making a total of 32 trainees that attended the four day event. Group activities are Continue reading
GEF Advanced Carpentry and Entrepreneurial Program Coming to Completion
27 Jul 2017
There is not many days left for the GEF trainees to be at WAM. The trainees in the last few months have worked hard to hone their skills in carpentry, carving, and entrepreneurship knowledge. They have participated and been a big part of two major events that WAM has held. Continue reading
April NTC Trainee of the Month
31 May 2017
Jerryann Harkey was WAM’s trainee of the month for the 2017 NTC program. She lives here in Majuro with her two sisters and her Bubu (Grandmother). From her participation in the WAM program Jerryann’s goal is to attend job core. Congratulations Jerryann for being the trainee of the month.
NTC Youth Reference Group 2017
15 May 2017
The WAM 2017 Vocational Program has an added feature this year with establishing a Youth Reference Group (YRG) from among the 2017 NTC trainees. The aim of the (YRG) is for the trainees to actively contribute to the evaluation of the program, increase their self-esteem, and increase their confidence. The YRG Continue reading