WAM Team

Alson ‘Tuak’ Kelen – Director

WAM Director Alson Kelen

WAM Director Alson Kelen

“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 2015); and President, Council of NGOs (2005 to present). Member of the National Nuclear Commission 2018

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.


Tony S. Alik – Associate Director

Associate Director Tony S. Alik

Associate Director Tony S. Alik

Tony Alik grew up in Jabor, Jaluit and currently resides in Ajeltake, Majuro.  Tony is an international certified instructor in Mental Health First Aid, through the MHFA USA organization, and also a regional trainer for SAPST and Ethics in through the PTTC, based in University of Nevada-Reno. Prior to WAM, Tony worked in the translation field for well over a decade and is very active in the community sharing comforting messages from the Bible along with his wife, Sallyann.


Beersheba Robert – Accountant

Accountant Beersheba Robert

Accountant Beersheba Robert

Beersheba Robert, a recent graduate from the College of the Marshall Islands with dual degrees in both Liberal Arts and Business, joined the WAM family in November 2018. “Sheba” is from the nearby Arno Atoll and is tasked with the enormous responsibility of being the financial officer for WAM, and with the help and training of out-going Associate Director Tamara Bowman, she has managed to adjust to just fine.


Binton Daniel – Master Canoe Builder

Master Canoe Builder Binton Daniel

Master Canoe Builder Binton Daniel

“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.”

Binton Daniel hails from Ailinglaplap and started sailing and building canoes from an early age. Binton was trained in Canoe Building by Master Canoe Builders Zedkeia Baso, Pinam Henry, and Samuel Jambin. A true canoe man, WAM offers Binton the unique opportunity of teaching the younger generation his vast knowledge and experience. Binton was also trained in Gardening hosted by PIMA;


Isocker Anwell – Lead Trainer

Lead Trainer Isocker Anwel

Lead Trainer Isocker Anwel

“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.”

Isocker was one of the original trainees during the early years of WAM. He successfully completed his WAM training and earned a Certificate of Completion in the Waan Aelon in Majel Program. A gifted craftsman, this former student turned teacher joined WAM in 2006 as a trainer and overtime became the lead trainer for WAM’s vocational program. Aside from WAM’s vocational programs, in partnership with the  Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce, Isocker has trained numerous people from the outer islands and Majuro in logging local wood and operating and maintaining saw-mills.


Raynold Lanwe – Trainer

Trainer Raynold Lanwe

Trainer Raynold Lanwe

 Raynold has been a “emmaan in lojet” (man of the water) for as long as he can remember. Raynold is widely recognised in his hometown of Laura, Majuro as an exceptional fisherman and survivalist. A recent addition to the WAM family, Raynold has been undergoing daily training with Isocker and Binton in regards to logging local woods, carving, and other necessary skills which will equipped him as a trainer. Raynold looks forward to helping the trainees with traditional life-skills that he use in his daily life such as traditional fishing skills and other survival methods.

Rosan K. Bartolome – Counselor

Rosan Bartolome

Counselor Rosan Bartolome

“Growing up here on the islands, I was not familiar with navigation, sailing and other related cultural activities. That is one of the main reasons I love working here.

Rosan Karben Bartolome, who is the female counselor at WAM, is a recent graduate of CMI and is from Ebeye, Kwajalein. Rosan joined the WAM family in June 2018.


Sealend Laiden – Counselor

Counselor Sealend Laiden

Counselor Sealend Laiden

“In my role as a counselor I provide group and one-one-one counseling, life-skills education, job readiness training, and most importantly hope of a better future for the young men and women of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.”

Sealend Laiden is originally from Ailinglaplap and his clan name is Kalo. Sealand graduated from the College of the Marshall Islands on May 21, 2016 with an Associate degree of Arts in Liberal Arts. A former CMI Peer Educator, Sealand started his career as a Life-Skills and Substance Abuse Counselor at WAM on August 3, 2016 and recently became a Regional Certified Prevention Specialist. Working at WAM offers Sealand a unique opportunity to expose his true potential in providing assistance to youth in the Marshall Islands.