College of Micronesia Land Grant Program

Good things are really happening!

Chuuk Extension

Remote Satowan Island welcomes CRE program

WENO, CHUUK.  Kalvin Assito, Community Resource Development Agent (CRD).  Cooperative Extension Service

Chuuk CRE, for the first time, brought the community outreach programs to the remote islands of Satowan Atoll.  The island group is about 180 miles from Weno and has about 1,000 residents.  CRE agents provided 8 varieties of sweet potato to the traditional leader for multiplication and sharing.  These varieties were produced through climate change adaptation research in an effort to improve food security.

chuuk-590-250

During the visit the CRE agents attended a meeting of the Municipal government leaders.  At that meeting the leaders reported their 2013 accomplishment reports and plans for 2014.  The CRE- Community Resource Development agent discussed ‘livelihood training’ in handicrafts, sewing, cooking and using local natural resources for food security.

The residents of Satowna, lead by Mayor Miaichy Assito expressed their appreciation and thanks to CRE.  They expressed the hope that CRE can soon offer all training programs for the benefit of Satowan and their neighboring islands.

CRD Agent, Kalvin Assito, met with the Mayor on Satowan and his people
CRD Agent, Kalvin Assito, met with the Mayor on Satowan and his people.

Cooperative Research and Extension participated in launching “Fairotiw Fairota” youth organization

WENO, CHUUK, FSM.  Kalvin Assito, Youth Agent, Chuuk Cooperative Extension Service.

On June 26, 2013, a youth organization founded by Linda Mori-Hartmann, called “Fairotiw Fairota” hosted its first youth gathering at Bay View Building in Nepukos, Weno. This non-government organization (NGO) aims to teach the youth Chuukese cultural values through the assistance of government, other NGOs, private sectors and programs.  In particular, COM-FSM CRE will be involved in teaching these young people about moral values to resist alcoholism and other delinquent behavior, cultivating their interests to do gardening and developing income-generating skills like handicraft making.

The Department of Health Director, Mayor of Weno, heads of various collaborating partners and the Chuuk Governor Johnson Elimo joined in this event.  Four other youth groups representing their islands performed traditional dances and songs that signified their own cultural values.

Chuuk Governor Johnson Elimo set himself as an example on how to value their lives and culture.  As a youth, he was under the influences of drugs that he realized was wrong. He knew that drugs make people miserable. The Governor encourages the youth to participate in worthwhile activities and groups like “Fairotiw Fairota” to ensure their lives have good purpose and high self-esteem.

Chuuk Governor Johnson Elimo addresses gathering
Chuuk Governor Johnson Elimo addresses gathering

Governor Elimo emphatically concluded to them, “Fear the Lord, who is the key fountain in life; value your lives together with your families, villages, islands and state and be actively involved in an organization such as this to understand the secret to life”.

Youth at meeting
Youth at meeting