Clem (webmaster)

Three cheers for the WAM Class of 2013

December 10, 2013October 5, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

Australian Volunteer Jane Evans played a key role in the training of WAM’s Class of 2013, which saw the trainees graduate in December of 2013. A large crowd attended the ceremony, held next to the Canoe House in the grounds of the Marshall Islands Resort. These included Alison Nashion, the head of the RMI National Training Council, which is a strong supporter of the WAM program. A key speech was given by long-time friend of WAM, Marshall Islands Resort’s General Manager Hirobo Obeketang.

$English and Math instructor Jane Evans presents one of the graduates with his certificate.$

English and Math instructor Jane Evans presents one of the graduates with his certificate.

Hirobo Obeketang, the Marshall Islands Resort General Manager and long-time supporter of the WAM program, gives a key speech at the 2013 graduation.

Graduates pose with a large scale model canoe at the graduation.

Graduating Class of 2013.

Mastering canoes

September 28, 2013September 28, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

Marshallese canoes became a large part of Rachel Miller’s life after she first arrived in RMI in 2005 as a WorldTeach volunteer, working on the remote Namdrik Atoll. Not wanting to leave the Marshall Islands immediately, after the teaching year ended she joined the WAM team to be its Program Administrator, working under Alson Kelen as Program Manager and Dennis Alessio as Program Director.

She finally left the Marshalls, but she didn’t leave the canoes behind! “I moved to Hawaii to get a Master’s degree in Pacific Islands Studies from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I wrote my thesis about Marshallese canoes and social change as part of that degree (Wa Kuk Wa Jimor: Outrigger Canoes, Social Change, and Modern Life in the Marshall Islands). After I graduated with a Master’s in 2010 I turned my thesis into a documentary-style film called Wa Kuk Wa Jimor: Marshallese Canoes Today. It was funded in part by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities.”

Rachel’s next career move was to work for the East-West Center in Honolulu for three years. In 2013 she moved to Bloomington, Indiana, to pursue a second Master’s degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University.

Rachel Miller poses with her host mother Clera Beasha in the family’s cookhouse. Photo: Lauren Hirshberg

2011-2012 Graduates

March 30, 2012October 5, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

The WAM trainees and directors for the 2011-12 program pictured from left: (Back row) Stanley Joram, Henty Juano, Jeffery Rison, Jata Kilon, Lien Jorren, Simpson Tokjen, Turner Langinbelik (leaning forward), Mark Jacklik, Winton Boon (slightly hidden), Brik Kadu, Anthony Bwijo (trainer in training), Rowley Kaneko, Rinkey Hersey (half hidden), Bramond Clanry, Alaska Kilon, Mentil Laik (trainer), Priscilla Ainri, Linton Baso (carpenter), Helmera Bujen, Manto Samuel (trainer in training), and Alson Kelen. (director, front) Jason Ebot, Mack Jelmak, Lora Jerilong, Wina Jamomo, Ken Taggart (instructor), Sakura Edwards, and Kathy Hutton (associate director).

WAM trainees ready to graduate

February 20, 2012October 5, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

By Karen Earnshaw

The challenge for many non-government organizations (NGOs) in the Marshall Islands is that donor organizations provide funds for programs and then require hard data to prove that the program has been a success.
Such is the case at Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands). Associate Director of the long-running program, Kathy Hutton, said: “All our funders require evidence-based evaluation to show the success of the programs. That’s fair enough, it’s understandable, but in some cases it’s very difficult to measure what we’re achieving.”
For example, tests can clearly show how trainees have improved in math and English or their ability to use woodworking equipment, but life skills are another matter.
The current six-month vocational trainee program at WAM is nearing an end, with graduation set for this Friday. “Over the months I’ve seen huge increases in confidence and self-esteem amongst our trainees, but how do you calculate that and provide it as evidence?
“Plus, 90 percent of the trainees may not even be able to recognize the massive changes in themselves. Many people, including myself, will underplay how they are performing.”
The biggest change Hutton has seen is “a huge improvement in their life skills. For example, they’ve learned to turn up on time and most have made a big effort in that department.”
Twenty-five youth were accepted into the program, which began on August 1, 2011 and is funded by the RMI National Training Council. “In the first few weeks we had a couple of dropouts, but these were quickly replaced by other applicants. One or two more dropped out over the months, but we’re ending the course with 22 trainees.
“Teaching them good working skills is a slow process,” Hutton said. “I’ve seen some that took four to five months before they seemed to be fully participating and embracing each part, such as being counseled.”
The lead instructor in the program is Vocational Program Manager Ken Taggart. “He absolutely loves the kids,” Hutton said. “He’s just wonderful working them on math and woodwork.”
Taggart also helped train four young men to be trainers, two of which are from Ebeye and two from Lae. The hope is that this group will return to their home islands to run similar courses.

Rinkey Hersey

February 8, 2012October 5, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

One hour and thirty-six minutes: That’s all the time that Rinkey Hersey, 24, missed over the six-month Waan Aelon in Majel (WAM) vocational training program, which ends this Friday.
“That’s pretty amazing!” said Associate Director Kathy Hutton.
As part of teaching good work ethics, the Waan Aelon in Majel (WAM) program’s directors are extremely strict about trainees clocking in and out, which is done in clear view of management in the upstairs office.
Hersey’s punctuality, and other newly-learned skills, has made the program a complete success for him as he’s one of the trainees who will graduate and move straight into a full time job.
Born in Delap, Hersey has four younger sisters. He attended Delap Elementary School and then Calvary High, graduating in 2004. “I then got a job at the Frank K store in Uliga, then I worked in the packing division at Pan Pacific Foods.”
That job ran out, and he struggled to find another. “But I did do referee training with the Basketball Federation,” he said. Then, late in 2010, he saw an ad in the Journal for the WAM training program, which was to begin in January, 2011, and applied. He was successful, but funding was held up and the program didn’t start until August.
“I applied because I wanted to learn how to build a canoe. I have seen how the old men and women of the Marshall Islands have been losing their traditions and their culture and I wanted to find out more about it so I can continue the traditions.
“Because I’d had training before, I already knew how to focus, to pay attention to the teacher.”
One of Hersey’s favorite parts of the program is spending time with people from other countries. “I love going out with the visitors on a canoe,” he said. “I’ve also really enjoyed learning how to carve,” he said. “This was the first time for me, but I picked it up okay.”
Ijikar Abraham and Ken Taggart were his carpentry instructors and one of the items Hersey has made in the program is a large clock for the hardware store Do It Best.
No doubt one fact that helped Hersey have such a good time score is that he doesn’t drink alcohol. “I used to drink in high school a bit, but I haven’t had a drink now in three or four years.
“The difference the WAM program has made for me is that before I couldn’t stand in front of people. I thought I couldn’t do anything. Now I see myself a lot differently. I’m not shy any more and I’ve learned I can do more.”
During the two-week Christmas break, Hersey interned at Do It Best. “I really liked the work. I was in the warehouse.”
The feeling was mutual. Do It Best manager Larry Hernandez said: “The kid is awesome. He’s punctual, he’s responsible, he is a kid who doesn’t sit back and watch. He’s always eager to do more. He’s a proactive kind of guy!”

Sakura Edward

February 7, 2012October 5, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

Sakura Edward walks into the big A-frame building at Waan Aelon in Majel (WAM), confidently picks up an electric planer and begins to work. The 23-year-old was born on Ebeye and then lived for a few years on Wotho. She then went to Delap Elementary School and Marshall Islands High School, finishing in 11th grade. “After I dropped out, I went to the GED program and while she finished the five levels and passed the diploma side, she failed her English test.”
A few years of not doing very much went by, until she was accepted at the Juren Ae program, which is run by Internal Affairs and is a four-month training, focusing on making handicrafts and learning sewing techniques. Its program is on the Ministry of Education campus, next to WAM.
“While I was at Juren Ae, I would come over to WAM and watch what they were doing and became interested. So when I heard there was a training program coming up, I applied.
“One of my favorite things about the program is the activities, especially learning how to use the tools to build canoes. I also loved the English and Math stuff and the counseling part.” The latter is counseling on both a group and individual basis, which is run by Cece Kilma and Tolina Tomeing. They also work for WAM’s Employer Assistance Program, which is funded by the US-funded Single Stage Agency through its Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment program.
When Sakura graduates, she hopes to find a job, “so I can make some money so I can afford to go back to school and finish my GED and then go on to college.
“My goal is to be a teacher. I believe I can improve the level of education at my home atoll of Wotho.”

Wa Kuk Wa Jimor – Marshallese Canoes Today

September 27, 2011October 18, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

Wa Kuk Wa Jimor – Marshallese Canoes Today from Rachel Miller.

The canoe tradition is one of the foundations of Marshallese culture. In the past it was the key to survival in the Marshall Islands, and it continues to embody many of the key values and practices of traditional Marshallese culture. “Wa Kuk Wa Jimor – Marshallese Canoes Today” (55 min, 2011), by Rachel Miller, introduces the tradition of the Marshallese canoe—including the history, types, and technological innovations of the canoe—and the complex connection between the canoe and Marshallese culture. It looks at the state of the canoe tradition in three locations in the Marshalls and explores the future of the canoe tradition. The film features interviews with elders and experts from the Marshall Islands, and is in both English and Marshallese. “Wa Kuk Wa Jimor – Marshallese Canoes Today” was funded in part by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities (HCH).

Gift for Taiwan

September 27, 2005October 5, 2014 Clem (webmaster)

To thank the government and people of Taiwan for all they do for the Marshall Islands, in 2005 President Kessai H. Note commissioned the Waan Aelõñ in Majel program to build a canoe that would be presented to then President Chen Shui-bian.

Following tradition, the canoe hull and outrigger float were built from the wood of a breadfruit tree and the outrigger booms and sail booms were built using wood from the Lukwej tree, which is a member of the mangosteen family.

According to WAM Director Alson Kelen: “In the olden days, it would take up to a year to build such a canoe, but we made this one in just a few weeks.” Two sails were made for the canoe: One from cloth and one from natural fibers. “It was the first woven sail that was used by WAM or maybe any other Marshallese in the last 100 years.” The WAM team used the cloth sail for sea trials.

The canoe was delivered to the Republic of China on a Taiwanese military vessel that was visiting the RMI around that time.