Yap Robo Day Monday, May 21

Robots will battle on Tuesday, May 22nd Monday, May 21st at the Yap Sports Complex and the public is encouraged to attend.

“Yap Robo Day” starts at 11:00am. Student teams at five high schools have designed and built robots over the course of the year and these robots will compete in a series of elimination skirmishes to determine the statewide Yap Robo League Champion for 2018.

US based nonprofit “Habele” established the Robo League in 2012, providing materials, instruction, and US partner schools to Yap Catholic High School and the Yap SDA School. The league was the first high school based robotics program in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

Habele trainer working with students at Yap SDA School.

Thanks to a grant from the Office of Insular Affairs, a long-standing proposal to expand the League was realized in the summer of 2017. Yap High School, Outer Islands High School, and Faith Christian Academy were invited to join the league and will be competing for their first time at Robo Day 2018.

In addition to three independent and two public high schools participating on May 21, there will be robotics teams from two corporate community partners.

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!

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.