Habele is dedicated the advancement of educational opportunity and accomplishment in the remote outer islands and atolls of Micronesia, a former US trust territory in the central Pacific. In addition to our scholarships and material donations to the islands we also look to keep US-based donors and volunteers abreast of news and events that involve Micronesia. Here are three important articles, all of which deal with the complexities of Pacific development and America’s role in it.
The Foreign Born In The Armed Services
Micronesian citizens are fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan
Migration Information.org article reposted by ILW.com, March 2007
...lawful permanent residents and certain nationals of three countries in free association with the United States — the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau — are eligible for military service…
Health woes hit Micronesia:
Reliance on canned food is leading to diabetes and other problems
Hawaii Star Bulletin, March 11, 2007
...people in Micronesia seemed to import the worst of Western-style diet…. "I think it's really growing fast on our island," Sesario said. "Here we have canned foods like corned beef. It's low grade, a little bit above dog food. People buy it because one can of corned beef can feed the family."
US Policy Toward South Pacific Island Nations
US State Department Press Release, reposted at Scoop.co.nz
March 16, 2007
In FY 2006, United States assistance to the Pacific Islands totaled almost $190 million. Of this amount, about $150 million was comprised of grants from the United States to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau under the Compacts of Free Association administered by the Department of the Interior. The remaining $34 million is devoted to the rest of the Pacific Islands through such programs as the Peace Corps, military assistance (International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Financing), counter-terrorism, and child health…
For more background information check out Habele’s postings on US Spending in the FSM and the US-FSM Compact
