WAM team members
“WAM is a good place to work because we do a lot of sailing. Plus WAM teaches us more about carpentry. It’s hard being a trainer but I enjoy it good because I am working with the young people. Sometimes I get mad at them, but it always works out and everyone is happy.”
Graduated from WAM Training Program 2015
“It’s a privilege to be part of the WAM organization. They have developed a unique program that combines preserving Marshallese culture through canoe building and sailing with teaching life skills that assist in navigating the ‘real world’ job market.”
Tamie started work as WAM’s Associate Director in October, 2015. She hails from Washington State and she and her husband, Joel, arrived in the Marshall Islands on their yacht Good News in December, 2014. The Bowmans have lived in Micronesia since 2008, mainly based in US Territory of Guam. Tamie was excited to learn about WAM and the program’s efforts to teach traditional canoe building and sailing skills to the youth of the Marshall Islands. As Associate Director she is assisting Director Alson Kelen in all aspects of program operations, the writing of grant applications, promoting the organization … and managing the website!
Tamie has been involved in various business and volunteer activities and is now actively receiving training to raise her skills in program management and grant writing.
Bellingham, Washington State, US
“I have been a counselor for the Waan Aelõñ in Majel program and working with at-risk youth for the past five years. The WAM counseling program offers the trainees life skills, substance abuse counseling, individual counseling, group counseling, and family counseling. I do the counseling with the trainees to help them meet their goals and make their dreams for their future life a reality.”
“I am a former trainee of the Waan Aelõñ in Majel program, graduating in the year 2009. I admire the WAM training program because it takes youth who are at risk of failing in life and teaching them certain skills and knowledge for their future. My goal is to teach the trainees numeracy and vocational skills such as canoe building, boat building, wood crafting using a wide range of tools.”
“I enjoy working at WAM because I want to help the students. I do this through my book-keeping and accounting and taking care of the money, including the grants we receive from our many generous donors.”
Bachelor of Science (Computer Science).
“I live in Laura, at the western side of Majuro, and enjoy working at the Waan Aelõñ in Majel Program as a trainer. My goal is to work with the youth and teach them tool names, tool usage, and work skills such as canoe and boat building. I also teach them how to cook healthy food.”
Certificate of Completion in the Waan Aelõñ in Majel Program
“I like working at the WAM program because I enjoy teaching the trainees how to learn the names of the different woodworking tools and how to use them. Next I teach them how to build canoes and the skills to sail them. My goal is that they will learn these skills well enough that they can pass the knowledge on to their families and friends.”
Trained in Gardening hosted by PIMA
Trained in Canoe Building by Master Canoe Builders Zedkeia Baso, Pinam Henry, and Samuel Jambin
“Working for WAM is win-win-360. While promoting and conserving our precious culture, we’re utilizing it to provide a future for our young people and a sustainable livelihood for our fragile nation.”
Alson, who is a certified counselor, has been involved in the traditional canoeing culture of the Marshall Islands for a number of decades. For four years, he assisted the Waan Aelõñ Kein (These Islands) project to document the step-by-step construction of Marshallese canoes. In the late 1990s, he co-founded the Waan Aelõñ in Majel program, a registered Non-Government Organization.
As well as being the ongoing Director of WAM, Alson has worn many hats over the years, including the following:
Mayor of Bikini Atoll (November 2009 to 2011)
Councilman for Bikini Atoll (November 2007 to November 2009)
Chairman of Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (2006 to present)
President, Council of NGOs (2005 to present)
Alson’s many achievements relating to canoes includes writing and compiling the following:
Traditional Canoe and Canoe Model Building Workbook, English version
Traditional Canoe and Canoe Model Building Workbook, Marshallese version
Canoe and Canoe Model Building Manual, English version
Canoe and Canoe Model Building Manual, Marshallese version