Outer Island Students Prepare to Graduate!

Today was an exciting day for the 32 Outer Island seniors who determined to finish their final year of high school, despite having been displaced by the violence of Typhoon Maysak. Every one of the seniors completed their classes today, and are ready to graduate!

After the storm destroyed their local high schools, these students were transferred to Yap, where they finished out the school year at the Yap High School campus. Fortunately, the dedicated Peace Corps teachers - Caroline, Tianna, Patrick and John - were able to continue teaching the students who they were formally serving on the Outer Islands. A big thanks to these hardworking teachers who have put so much into the students!

Volunteers Continue to Rally Behind Maysak Relief

Living thousands of miles away from the wreckage of Typhoon Maysak hasn't stifled the enthusiasm and generosity of Habele's donors and volunteers.

Just this week, Rachel and Derek of Washington, DC, responded to the plight of Outer Island students by gathering, packing and shipping out an assortment of school supplies and toiletries! As a former Peace Corps Volunteer to Micronesia, Rachel has experienced firsthand the tremendous excitement and benefit that even simple supplies can provide for island children. 

Many thanks to Rachel and Derek for the supplies, and for the kindness that motivating your donation!

The ongoing needs of students and families on Micronesia's Outer Islands are significant. Donations like these go a long way in meeting those needs. Already, Habele donors have been able to encourage students displaced by the storm.

Additionally, Habele's network of volunteers have been working to deliver sustainable, traditional food sources to devastated communities on islands like Faraulep and Piik.

Please share this with friends and family. It makes a big difference!
To donate directly to Habele's ongoing work in Moving Past Maysak:

or send check or money order to  Habele, 701 Gervais St, STE 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.

Habele is a tax exempt, all-volunteer, US based nonprofit with a proud history of high impact support for our partners in Micronesia.

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Traditional, Sustainable Food after Maysak Destruction

Micronesia's remote Outer Islands were fortunate enough to receive emergency supplies of food and water immediately after the destruction of Typhoon Maysak. These rations are crucial for short term survival, but the need to revive traditional, sustainable food sources is an ongoing need.

Volunteers with Waa'gey - a Habele partner organization - have jumped in to help bolster relief work with a long-term food solution for some of Yap State's most isolated Outer Islands.

Drawing on traditional and local knowledge of storm relief, Waa'gey volunteers collected over fifty baskets of traditional crop seedlings, which they will personally deliver to the atolls of Faraulep and Piik. Inside the baskets are over 500 plants, including taro, banana, tapioca, sweet potatoes and even mahogany trees. These are familiar crops, identified by islanders as the most targeted means of helping remote communities regain self-sufficiency.

Islands 101: The Basics

Lagoon in Ulithi Atoll. 

Habele donors and volunteers often ask questions about the daily lives of the people who live thousands of miles away in beautiful Micronesia. Go here to read, "Where is Micronesia?"

The Outer Islands of Yap provide a fascinating look into traditional island culture and lifestyle. Even today, many remote islands and atolls live in much the same way as they have for millenia.

Villages

Outer Islanders live in small villages facing the calm waters of the atoll’s lagoon. The lagoon provides a shallow, safe location for washing, swimming, gathering fish and shellfish, and launching canoes. This is an extremely valuable feature, considering that these tiny strips of land are surrounded by millions of square miles of some of the deepest water on Earth!

Islands 101: Where is Micronesia?

The beautiful atoll of Ulithi (Yap State) is a picturesque example
 of one of Micronesia's many Outer Islands

Since Typhoon Maysak ravaged Micronesia, many Habele donors and volunteers to the “Moving Past Maysak” effort have been asking basic questions about this remote and beautiful region. 

Where is Micronesia?

“Micronesia” is an umbrella term for a region in the Western Pacific Ocean. This massive section of the Pacific is over 3 million square miles, with thousands of islands scattered throughout. These islands are grouped together in six different sovereign countries. One of these island nations is the “Federated States of Micronesia,” also referenced as the “FSM.” The term “Micronesia” is most commonly used to refer to the 600 islands and atolls making up the FSM. 

 These islands are themselves grouped into four states: Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap. Kosrae is the state furthest to the east (toward Hawaii), with Yap being the westernmost state (closest to the Philipines). Each of these states have distinct cultures, languages, and natural resources.

Moving Past Maysak: Dinner and a Movie

The recovery process from Super Typhoon Maysak will be long and arduous, but residents of Micronesia's Outer Islands are standing strong. Your support has a direct impact on the lives of many islanders who have lost everything!

Earlier this month, the record-breaking storm tore through the isolated Outer Islands, leaving behind the wreckage of homes, community buildings, churches, and schools. Survivors are bravely working to "Move Past Maysak," but many remain without critical supplies. You can read more about the needs of determined Outer Island students here.

Thanks to the generosity of Habele donors and volunteers, some relief boxes have already been making their way to the islands. Can a small box of first aid supplies have an impact on a such a massive scene of devastation? The overwhelming response from our volunteers on the ground is, "Yes!"

For the cost of going out to dinner and a movie with your significant other, you can bring practical, targeted relief to typhoon survivors on Micronesia's Outer Islands.

Moving Past Maysak: Outer Island Students Arrive on Yap

Students from storm-wrecked Ulithi have  arrived on Yap. Please consider giving to provide them with necessary toiletries and school supplies.

Outer Island students are facing unique challenges in the wake of Super Typhoon Maysak.

Every year, hundreds of children from dozens of isolated islands travel across the open ocean – some students traversing hundreds of miles – to attend Outer Island High School in the isolated atoll of Ulithi.

Everything changed when Super Typhoon Maysak obliterated historic Outer Island High School. Students (OIHS) from storm-ravaged islands were suddenly left without even basic educational facilities, or supplies to finish the school year.

Local stakeholders and community leaders quickly put into place an alternate plan. With no local option for schooling, thirty-two seniors from devastated Outer Islands matriculated to the state capitol of Yap to complete their studies and graduate.

Many of these students have had their own homes destroyed, and are now now attending an unfamiliar school, far from their families, on an island with a different language and customs. To make the situation even more pitiable, many of these students have arrived without even basic personal belongings or school supplies.

Moving Past Maysak: McREL Direct Links

Habele is working with McREL International to organize a direct bridge of donations from US students to Island students recovering from the storm.

Early in April, a massive super typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands scattered across the Western Pacific, about 500 miles east of the Phillipines.

Home to a primarily subsistence economy, Micronesia's most remote "Outer Islands" lay directly in the past of this category 5 typhoon with winds up to 155 mph. The islands have deep historic and strategic ties to the US.

Habele has been sending Response Kits and Recovery Kits to families and local community organizations. You can help this all-volunteer effort by donating right now. We've highlighted other reputable groups and individuals serving victims as well.

Habele is also partnering with our friends at McREL International to establish Direct Links between the students and educators impacted by the storm and students and educators in Colorado and Hawaii who want to help.

This coordinated in-kind donation program is based on islander articulated needs for students whose schools have been leveled or catastrophically damaged. A call to action shared with certain public schools in Colorado explains:

Moving Past Maysak: Action Grants!

Early in April, a massive super typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands strewn across the Western Pacific.

Home to a primarily subsistence economy, Micronesia's most remote "Outer Islands" lay directly in Super Typhoon Maysak's violent path. The islands have deep historic and strategic ties to the US.

Habele has been sending Response Kits and Recovery Kits to families and local community organizations. You can help this all-volunteer effort by donating right now. We've highlighted other reputable groups and individuals serving victims as well.

Habele is also sending micro Action Grants directly to local partners who've demonstrated exceptionally innovative or sustainable responses.

Micronesia is "Moving Past Maysak!"

Habele donors and volunteers are answering the call of those who've endured Super Typhoon Maysak! The record breaking storm devastated low lying islands and atolls of Yap State, Micronesia. You can help.

As contributions come in -through Paypal or to 701 Gervais St, Set 150-244, Columbia SC 29201- volunteers are assembling boxes of donations for immediate shipment to Habele's partners on the ground.

These include Response Kits, with basic medicines, simple first aid, children's vitamins, and mosquito repellent, as well as Recovery Kits, which help start the process of clearing and rebuilding.

Each Recovery Kit includes:

• Industrial metal shears, two pair
• Electrogalvanized roofing nails
• Metal tape and weatherproof sealants
• Tape measure, post level and sliding T-bevel
• Wide wood chisel, 550 paracord and a small battery powered light

Donate Now for Typhoon Maysak Recovery (Micronesia)

Tuesday a massive typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands strewn across the Western Pacific. You can help the recovery.

Home to a primarily subsistence economy, several of Micronesia's most remote "Outer Islands" lay directly in Super Typhoon Maysak's violent path. The islands have deep historic and strategic ties to the US.



The Weather Channel reported the storm broke records for timing and intensity; that destructive power hit low lying atolls in Chuuk and Yap State with particular intensity. Those inevitably bearing the greatest burden are school aged children, many of whom lack sandals. They are most susceptible to the impact of food and nutrient shortages following the flooding of taro patches and village gardens.

Habele, a South Carolina based nonprofit serving students and schools throughout Micronesia is coordinating direct support for the most remote victims of the storm with long time on-island local partners.

Typhoon Maysak Recovery

Please pause and donate to Habele Fund, or another reputable nonprofit, supporting the recovery. 

Habele

701 Gervais,

STE 150-244

Columbia SC 29201