Author: associate

Every month during our annual 6-months NTC Training Program, a trainee is selected as “Trainee of the Month.” Selections are based on attendance, academic and vocational performance, and resiliency. Congratulations trainees!

May – Thomlino Langidrik

June – Gene Hemos

July – Darsh Saul & Rosana Ali

October 18 until November 18 was a special time for WAM in world-renowned The Hague, Netherlands. A dynamic exhibition program known as Climate as Artifact was on full display in which artists, designers, scientists and society were brought together to review our perception of culture and nature. Amidst all of the various exhibitions was our very own lead trainer from WAM, Isocker Anwel, designing and building a traditional Marshallese canoe. Isocker was invited as a representative of WAM by Esther Kokmeijer to help build a traditional Marshallese outrigger canoe for the exhibition. Isocker left for The Hague on October 15th. Upon arriving, the task of building a traditional sailing canoe in just under 2 weeks started right away. Working closely with Esther Kokmeijer and Henrik Richter-Alten (GIZ) in building and designing a traditional Marshallese outrigger canoe thousands of miles away from home left a big mark on Isocker. “To see that even thousands of miles away, people want to know more about my culture, and a big part of that culture is centered on our canoes, that left a big impression on me. It taught me that that what we do in WAM is important, not just for Marshallese, but for other cultures as well.” This kind of trip and exposure goes hand-in-hand with WAM’s mission since its inception in the late 1990s, which has always been to work with the youth, their families and the local and international community to preserve and protect Marshallese culture and tradition through canoe building and sailing, and through this cultural connection develop life skills and a work ethic that creates meaning in the lives of all participants.

Isocker Anwel arriving in Netherlands
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

The structure for the canoe is laid out!
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Outrigger float side by side with the canoe
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Outrigger float side by side with the main canoe
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Connecting the float to the main canoe
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Epoxy being applied to the canoe.
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Building the hull and measuring the sail
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Outrigger canoe laid out next to the sail
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Complete and ready to sail!
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

Isocker Anwel with the finished product
Photo: Esther Kokmeijer

September 27, 2018 was an exciting day for 22 young people, a group of 18 young men and 4 young women! For them, Graduation Day was the result of 6 months of hard work and determination.

This was their time to shine, to express appreciation, and to reflect on what they had accomplished in the last 6-months. Community leaders, board members, friends, and family attended this event which was held under the big tree at the shoreline of WAM. Kumit Bobrae Director Janet Schmidt was emcee of the event with over a 100 people in attendance.

Opening remarks were made by graduate Angie Abal in English and Darween Gideon in Marshallese expressing on behalf of their fellow trainees their appreciation for this unique opportunity to be given a second chance in education and be encouraged to better their lives during this 6-month program.

  Graduates with some of WAM staff.
Photo: Sealend Laiden

Graduates singing a song to show their appreciation.
Photo: Sealend Laiden

Graduate Titus Zackious accepting his certificate of completion from WAM Director Alson Kelen, Secretary of MOHHS Julia Alfred, and NTC representative Lenn Lenja
Photo: Sealend Laiden

Graduate Angie Abal delivering the opening remarks in English.
Photo: Sealend Laiden

Trainee Baniel Helmory received training from former WAM graduate Taylor Botta at MWSC during OJT. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Trainees Danny Henry and Susan Edward at EzPrice during OJT. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Henchi Tobey at Do It Best during OJT. Photo Sealand Laiden

Wellness Supervisor, Sovennir Kebos, and Darween Gideon. Trainees were learning seed planting. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Trainee Ed Edwards was a volunteer at Office Mart during his OJT. Photo: Sealand Laiden

During the final weeks of the WAM Life Skills/Vocational Program each trainee is placed at a local business as a volunteer for two weeks. This On the Job Training (OJT) can be a life changing experience, as many employers will offer employment to the trainee upon graduation from WAM. This has happened many times over the years proving that education is a key element to success!

Here are a few thoughts from this years employers who had WAM trainees for OJT:

“Trainee listens to instructions and carry’s out the task well. I would recommend him as he is eager to learn.”

“Trainee even worked Saturday even though is was not required.”

“Trainee was always on time and did not miss any work days.”

Sailing to Eneko trainee Angi Abal and crew member of Okeanos. Photo by: Rosan Bartolome

Unloading supplies at Eneko. Photo: Rosan Bartolome

Trainee Lajwi Saimon collecting red rock for underground oven Photo: Sealand Laiden

Traditional underground oven. Female counselor Rosan Bartolome, Bini Kelen, Binton Daniels, Helm, Susan Edward, and Caritha Hertin. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Trainer Binton Daniel teaching Atnel Tabu & Danny Henry how to weave Marshallese plate from coconut palm as trainer Gregory observes. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Every year one of the highlights of the WAM Life Skills Vocational Training Program is the Eneko Retreat. As part of the WAM NTC program, trainees are provided with the opportunity to learn traditional knowledge and skills (manit) and use them during a 4 day retreat to the islet of Eneko. This year, a total of 32 (22 trainees and 10 staffs including family members) participated in this event. One of the main objectives of this retreat is also to enhance the trainees life-skills, such as traditional life-styles, collaboration, communication, and substance abuse & drug abuse prevention.

Some of the activities covered during the retreat were fishing (line, throw & long-net), weaving of Marshallese baskets, under-ground cooking, cooking of traditional foods, and hunting. These activities are very important for the trainees to learn and understand as they are very much a part of the Marshallese culture. Many trainees have lived in the outer islands, but they said they learned a lot about Marshallese traditional skills that they never knew, while participating in this retreat.

WAM partnered with Kumit Bobrae Coalitions (KUMIT) and Okeanos Marshall Islands (OMI) during the retreat they helped WAM to provide valuable skills and knowledge. The Kumit Out-Reach team provided WAM trainees with an Out-Reach program that covered the topic of DUI’s (driving under the influence).  Trainees really appreciated being able to understand how dangerous drinking and driving is and what can happen if you do so. By the end of their activity, 100% of the trainees vocally reported that the activity really enhanced their decision-making toward DUI. Later that same day the Okeanos of the Marshall Islands instructed the  trainees on water safety and sailing. The two representative from Okeanos Marshall Islands made clear the importance of sailing without using fossil fuel.

Trainees also participated in various other activities to help them with collaboration, communication and team work skills:

1. Tug of War
2. Rely
3. Race
4. Catch Balloon
5. Weave Marshallese Basket
6. Volleyball
7. Train
8. Find the Quarter
9. Sniper
10. Talent Show

All these activities engage and involve the trainees, which facilitates a fun learning experience.

In order for the retreat to start, proceed, and end well WAM Staff and Trainers split trainees into 3 groups. Each group had two trainers and 1 counsellor assigned to it, this enabled each trainee to get the most benefit out of the retreat. These groups were assigned to rotate certain responsibilities, which included breakfast, lunch, and dinner preparation. The trainees were evaluated on the last day of the retreat and a survey was given to the trainees to express how they felt about this life changing retreat.

Trainee Danny Henry husking copar. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Master Canoe builder Binton Daniel demonstrating how to fix cast net to trainees with Director Kelen. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Master Canoe builder Binton Daniel teaching Atnel Tabu throw netting. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Competition in weaving of traditional plates out of coconut palm. Trainees Atnel Tabu, Danny Henry and Helmi Samuel. Photo: Rosan Bartolome

Tug of War a group activity. Photo: Rosan Bartolome

Kumit OutReach employee Junior Kaisha providing an activity on DUI. Trainees pictured are Henchi Tobey & Tom Schmidt. Photo: Rosan Bartolome.

Group photo of Director Kelen, Oceanos Manager Dustin Langidik, Henrik Richter-Alten, Binton Daniels and others. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Luau nite Battle of the Bands. Trainees Walthy Wase, Nodrio Kaious, Helmi Samuel, Jason Riling, Branson Clanry, Alington Akilang, Tom Jr. Schmidt, Allen Akilang, Henchi Tobey, Angie Tobey and Trainer Gregory Jokray. Photo: Sealand Laiden

Sailing home from Eneko. Trainees Mighty Jormile, Susan Edward, Titus Zackious & Lajwi Saimon. Photo: Rosan Bartolome

On Friday May 25, 2018 with sunny skies and happy faces, WAM hosted a handover ceremony for “the Project for Improvement of Transportation of Training Materials for Waan Aelõñ in Majel in Majuro Atoll.” The grant provided WAM with a Crane Truck and was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Society Projects (GGP).

The ceremony was also attended by Hon. Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Dennis Momotaro, Hon. President of Mayors Association Ota Kisino, Reverend Jimmy Moses, Commissioner of Public School System Kanchi Hosia, Director of Waan Aelon in Majel Alson Kelen, Director of Okeanos Dustin Langidrik, staff of Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce, trainers and students of Waan Aelon in Majel, as well as officials and staff of the Embassy of Japan.

WAM Crane Truck. Photo: Alson Kelen

GGP Key Handover from His Excellency Ambassador Hideyuki Mitsuoka to WAM Board Member Commissioner of Public School System Kanchi Hosia. Photo: Sealend Laiden

Hon. Minister of Natural Resources and Commerce Dennis Momotaro, His Excellency Ambassador Hideyuki Mitsuoka, WAM Director Alson Kelen, Hon. President of Mayors Association Ota Kisino, Commissioner of Public School System Kanchi Hosia. Photo: Sealend Laiden

WAM is unique in providing youth with not only basic education but also traditional skills and knowledge of wood working, carving, saw milling, traditional navigation and canoe building. Without its own vehicle for transporting logs, WAM could only use limited types of trees in its programs. Because of the GGP funding WAM procured a crane truck, which allows us to collect different types of training materials including coconut trees, which are the most popular in the RMI and also appropriate for vocational training. In addition, the project is expected to help replantation of old coconut trees, which is promoted by Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce, for protecting industries, environment and food security in the future.