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habele School Support

US-Yapese Partnership on Display at Schools Across Yap

US Marines painting a school in Gagil, Yap.

The school year on is well underway, and for some students on Yap it’s a bit brighter than they may have expected upon return to campus. Over the summer a small group of Marines and Sailors were busy sprucing up their schools.

Koa Moana

U.S. Marines and Sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group worked on Yap this summer as part of “Moana 24.” Across the FSM and Palau, teams undertook a range of engineering projects. These included renovation of schools, facilities, and historical memorials. Their efforts extended to community engagement activities such as sporting events, school interactions, and cultural immersion, and explosive ordnance disposal.

Arriving on Yap in June, the Koa Moana team was led by Lieutenant Mikellides and Gunnery Sergeant Laws. Lt. Mikellides worked to carefully, and respectfully, to initiate relations with traditional and political leaders, as well as many in the community eager to get things done. His Marines identified and completed much-needed projects. They did so in ways that engaged Marines with Yapese and Outer Islanders throughout. From construction and painting at schools to reading with children and signing them up for book donations, Mikellides’ Marines made a big, positive impact.

Marines of Koa Moana ’24 working with concrete at Saint Mary’s School in Colonia, Yap

Locally Stated Needs

Liliana Gootinag, Princpal of Gagil Elementary School, was among those who were eager to partner with the Marines. She sought to revamp the school’s buildings’ exteriors, “aiming to create a more conducive and uplifting learning environment for the students. The project would not only enhance the school’s appearance but also contribute to the overall well-being of the educational community.” US nonprofit Habele provided funds and the materials were purchased. Then the Marines and Sailors got to work.

Similarly, Mae Lynn E. Tiningidow, Principal of Dalipebinaw Community School, had a vision for a more beautiful learning environment. Again, Habele donated money to purchase supplies. The Marines painted the 2-story classroom building, refurbished the rails, and replaced window screens on all classroom windows.

At Saint Mary’s Catholic School, the need was for concrete benches, on which students could gather to share meals, collaborate on work, or watch their peers play sports on the adjacent court. Principal Rufino Xavier (himself a Marine Veteran) reached out to Lieutenant Mikellides for the labor and engineering, and to Habele for money for the materials. At Yap Catholic High School, the Marines extended a school’s internet network -originally donated by Habele in 2021– across three buildings to enhance learning connectivity.

Marines and Sailors of Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group reading with children on Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Focus on Literacy

In addition to the Marines’s very visible accomplishments at the schools, the troops also took the time to engage directly with students, and those still too young to be attending. With books donated by Habele, the Marines read to groups of children and provide sign-up sheets to mothers whose children under five years are eligible to participate in “Young Island Readers.” This Habele book-a-month program sends over 600 books each month directly to children throughout Yap State.

Collaboration

A big part of the success was collaboration. Officials at the State Department of Education, down to individual school principals as well as classroom teachers, were eager to present and move on good ideas. American citizens living on Yap, as well as Yapese and Outer Islanders volunteering for Habele, worked to streamline the process, identifying, requesting and delivering the funds so the Marines could quickly get to work, bypassing the time and complexity of seeking funds from Washington.

“The decades-long partnership between Yap and the US is based on a shared history, mutual respect, and a common commitment to do the right things,” explained Neil Mellen, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and Director of Habele. “These projects, requested by local Yapese, funded by an American nonprofit, and completed by US Marines, provide further evidence of how the US and Yap can, and do, pool public and private talents and resources to get the job done for the People of Yap State.”

 

habele Scholarships

High Marks as Habele Scholars Report on Academic Progress

PHOTO: Second grader Jesebel-Marie B. Fanechigiy attends Saint Mary’s School on Yap with the help of a Habele Scholarship. She lives in Luwech, Rull and earned all “A’s” in her first quarter academic progress report

The US nonprofit Habele, founded by former Peace Corps Volunteers, awards elementary and high school scholarships to students across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The students provide Habele with copies of their report cards throughout the year and other indicators of their academic progress.

There are 152 Habele scholars for the 2024-25 school year, representing a diverse collection of students from the four Micronesian States including a range of Main, Lagoon, and Outer Islanders. As of October 28th, Habele has already received 63 of these student’s first quarter report cards.

“The grades these students are earning are tremendous,” explained Neil Mellen, Habele’s founder. He served as teacher in the Outer Islands of Yap in the early 2000’s. “It is clear that these students, their families, and the teachers are strongly invested in academic achievement and student success. Habele is proud we can play a small role, through targeted financial assistance, to help prepare these children to take up -and even create- their social, civic, political, and business roles in their island communities.”

Habele’s tuition scholarships ensure bright, hardworking students have access to the best elementary and secondary education possible. Based on need and merit, each Habele tuition scholarships is set at a level that maintains family ownership in student achievement while lightening the financial burden. Habele scholars this year are attending fifteen different schools across the FSM.

The scholarships cover roughly 75 percent of tuition and fees. Students must maintain and report high levels of academic achievement every term, applying each year for continued support. Since 2006, more than 300 students in Micronesia have benefited from the program, which started with a single student seventeen years ago.

Habele Scholarships

151 students across FSM awarded Habele Tuition Scholarships

(Colonia, Yap) A US nonprofit, established by former Peace Corps Volunteers, is awarding tuition scholarships to 151 students across the Federated States of Micronesia. Funded entirely by the donations of individual Americans, Habele scholarships help cover tuition costs at high performing independent elementary and high schools within the FSM.

Habele’s tuition scholarships ensure bright, hardworking students have access to the best elementary and secondary education possible. Based on need and merit, each Habele tuition scholarships is set at a level that maintains family ownership in student achievement while lightening the financial burden. Habele scholars this year will be attending fifteen different schools across the FSM.

The scholarships cover roughly 75 percent of tuition and fees. Students must maintain and report high levels of academic achievement every term, applying each year for continued support. Since 2006, more than 300 students in Micronesia have benefited from the program, which started with a single student seventeen years ago.

Of the students awarded scholarships this year, 90 are from Outer Islands of Yap and Chuuk States, 31 are Yapese, 21 are Pohnpeian, and 8 come from families within Chuuk Lagoon. The 2024 cohort consists of 94 females and 57 males. There were 102 scholarships issued to incumbent students, and 49 awarded to new applicants, with more than 150 new, complete on-time applications being received by Habele this year ahead of the June 30th deadline.

Owing to the spike in new applications this year, next year Habele will only accept renewal applications and re-applications from those who applied in 2024-25.

All funding for Habele’s tuition scholarships is provided by individual donations made by private American citizens. All administrative costs are covered by Habele’s endowment, also entirely funded by individual Americans.

Among the 151 scholarships were several Memorial Scholarships, a special type of Habele K12 tuition grant. Memorial Scholarships honor the legacy of Americans whose life or work demonstrated exceptional commitment to the people of Micronesia, and embodied the best of the longstanding US-Micronesian partnership. These include the Jim Stovall, Hon. Martin Yinug, Lee Huddleston, Dr. Marshall Wees, and Leona Peterson Memorial Scholarships.

“Everyone -parents, teachers, and community members- want young people who are prepared to meet the challenges of the future” explained Neil Mellen, a former Peace Corps Volunteer and Habele’s Founder. “These targeted privately funded scholarships provide support to engaged families who are making sacrifices to provide educational opportunities for their children. The individual Americans who comprise Habele want to ensure these ambitious hardworking students are prepared to sustain and improve quality of life for their islands.”
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Habele Literacy

Young Island Readers Advancing Youth Literacy into Yap’s Remote Outer Islands

More than 500 children across Yap State, from birth to age five, are receiving a book each month from Young Island Readers The program, a partnership between US nonprofit Habele and the Imagination Library, aims to foster a lifelong love of learning and literacy but introducing small children to the joys of reading in their own homes.

This week boxes of donated YIR books were packed aboard the Yap State field trip ship, starting the long journey to Yap’s remote Outer Islands, including Woleai, Ifaluk, Lamotrek and Satawal.

Young Island Readers” is a book-a-month donation program that provides children in Yap State from birth to age five a new age appropriate each and every month. In mid-October the 3,000th booked reach the Post Office box of a family on Yap. By the spring, over 550 children across Yap State had signed up to participate.

The heart of Young Island Readers is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL). The Imagination Library was founded and created by songwriter, musician, actress, author and business-woman, Dolly Parton, in her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee in 1996. She envisioned a community-based program providing children with free, home-delivered books from birth to their 5th birthday.

Habele is the “local affiliate” or on-the-ground partner for DPIL in Micronesia. Established by former Peace Corps Volunteers, Habele is a US nonprofit, invested in the future and potential of Micronesian students since 2006. Though the program is both effective and efficient, there are still ongoing costs borne by Habele and these are generously provided by the individual Americans who support Habele.

On Yap Proper, generous logistical support has been provided by the Yap State Hospital and the Yap Community Health Centers, which raise awareness of the program and collect sign up forms. Families living on Yap have their children’s book delivered directly to their own Post Office boxes. Children in the remote Outer Islands receive their books through support of the Yap State Department of Education’s Neighboring Island Coordinator’s office, as well as the in-kind donation of cargo space aboard airplanes of the Pacific Missionary Airline, which serves those Outer Islands that have paved runways.

Babyor ko btir rom u Habele!

Habele ea bayi pii ko bitir rom bake babyor ni yu puul, nge mada’ ko ngiyal’ nike gamane lal eduw rok’ ni dariy pulwon. Gamad be a thapeg ni ra ilal ma baadag e bieg babyor. Kugoged ni be’eg babyor ko bitir, ma gubine bitir ni baye duuw rok’ ngatanggine laal, mara yog ninge sign faun ngay.

Ba’ba form ni bay ni pii ngom ningam fill nag mag fulweg ko chaan nike piingom, fa min moen’ ngalangin ere box ni baaray ko “Young Island Readers Dropbox.” Fa gara yan kore website ne baaray www.habele.org/read mag yiloy fidingam u online. Faan ra gamaa paru dakan e nam nu Waab, ma Habele ea bayi pii yuke babyor ngom ni yu puul u P.O. Box. Faan ra gamaa paru Ulithi, Fais fa Woleai, ma ra yibe yuke babyor nem ngomu sikokiy ko PMA. Faan ra gama paru yugrebe donguchen yu Waab, ma ra I yib e yuke babyor nem ngom nikan tay nga mail bag u barkow.

Yal titi babior mirel Habele!

Pangal meram nge Habele yebe fange seew buuku ngali laum saari gasiyee yela gola lago mena galimouwal yaal birthday. Yetoar paluwel iye book kale. Sitipeli be saari laum yebe mesaigeti gare geshangi geragireg iga yebe fefetaltag. Si faseongiu be “Young Island Readers.” Ye tai tiwegil semaliu saari ye chiil ragil faal limou raagi nge yebe mewl tabeye gare fateofato itale.

Gemaneo shagiu babiyor yeel nge gosa gatefali ngali yaremate la ye ganooge, gare iselilong lani Habele Young Island Readers kagool. Gare golago woal www.habele.org/read be gobe siine longo iyange. Gare go kasog woal Yap, nge yebe seew meram nge Habele yebe fange buuk reel yaamu PO Box. Gare golog woal Ulithi, Fais, Woleai nge PMA yebe gasine tage. Gare golog woal meratag, nge rebe fange tag shiul waafaliuw lani tutul mail.

Habele History of Micronesia, Literacy

MicSem Library Set to Reopen in Yap After Successful Fundraiser

Tens of thousands of dollars are headed to Yap to re-open the Micronesian Seminar Library, now situated on the campus of Yap Catholic High School.

Over four decades, Micronesian Seminar built an internationally recognized library of over 120,000 documents, photos and recordings. After MicSem operations ended in 2012 the library was ultimately relocated to the campus of Yap Catholic High School.

Broad public access to Micronesia’s living history, through an actively maintained, growing collection, is vital to realizing the full value of this regional treasure. Father Hezel, in partnership with Yap Catholic’s Father Rich McAuliff, developed a detailed multi-year plan to reopen the MicSem Library. Habele organized a fundraising drive to realize the plan. Individual donations were matched 2-to-1 by Habele’s endowment.

Over the course of the forty-day fundraising drive, $15,233 was donated by fifty-eight individual donors. The sum was matched, two-to-one, with a $30,468 contribution from Habele’s endowment. All told, a total of $45,702 will be issued to Yap Catholic High School in the form of a MicSem specific grant by Habele for the project. A US-based 501c3 nonprofit, Habele was established by former Peace Corps Volunteers to serve students and schools across Micronesia in 2006.

The grant will allow for the final stages of the relocation of the Micronesian Seminar library at Yap Catholic High School. This includes implementing a transitional process for the management of the library from the long-time former curator to the new one as well as providing certain basic equipment needed to service those who utilize the collection in the future. These final steps of the relocation of the MicSem library in Yap will begin once the first portion of grant funds is transferred and essential equipment such as scanners, additional bookshelves and tables needed for the library to go into full operation are purchased.

“It was startling to see how so many people felt so strongly about reestablishing this unequaled Micronesian resource, and preserving and recognizing Father Hezel’s legacy of service and scholarship,” observed Neil Mellen, Executive Director of Habele. “Pride in our shared histories and person-to-person connections remain the vibrant bedrock of the US-Micronesian partnership. Habele is proud to play a minor role in that. Though the formal fundraiser is complete, we intend to continue Habele’s partnership and support of this important, evolving, work in the years ahead.”

Habele History of Micronesia, Literacy

Habele Matching Donations to Reopen MicSem Library

Over four decades, Micronesian Seminar (MicSem) built an internationally recognized library with 24,000 print titles, 82,000 historical photos, more than 800 videos, and 22,000 audio tracks. When MicSem operations ended in 2012, its library was stored at Xavier High School in Chuuk, and recently moved to Yap.

Relocation has saved the physical assets of the MicSem collection, but the tremendous value of this resource can only come from broad public access to an actively maintained–and expanding–collection that continues to document Micronesia’s living history. To fully reopen, MicSem needs operational resources beyond what can be provided by the library’s new host, Yap Catholic High School.

Father Hezel, in partnership with Yap Catholic’s Father Rich McAuliff, has developed a detailed plan to reopen the MicSem Library, based on a budget of $32,000. Habele, a US 501c3 nonprofit that serves students in Micronesia, has committed a 2-to-1 match from its own endowment for any individual donations contributed toward reopening MicSem.

Habele will award all raised and matched funds to Yap Catholic H.S. in the form of a MicSem-specific grant for implementation of the preservation plan authored by Fathers Hezel and McAuliff. Please donate today to help fully reestablish this important regional institution and resource, preserving and recognizing Father Hezel’s legacy of service and scholarship.

Visit www.habele.org/MicSem to learn more and donate.

Habele Scholarships

Scholarship established to honor legacy of Jim Stovall


Habele, a US nonprofit established by former Peace Corps Volunteers, has announced the establishment of a memorial scholarship that honors the life and legacy of the late Jim Stovall.

James T. Stovall, III provided the people of Micronesia with expert legal counsel for more than 50 years, beginning his service before the establishment of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), and then serving that new nation’s National Government tirelessly.

Jim, as he was called by friends in the Islands, served the Micronesian Committee on Future Political Status and Transition (CFPST) in the early 1970s, and then as legal adviser for negotiations on the original Compact of Free Association agreement concluded in 1986, the Amended Compact concluded in 2003, and through to refinement of US-FSM partnership in 2023. Mr. Stovall was instrumental in securing the FSM’s membership in the United Nations in 1991 and was a key member of the FSM delegation to the UN and affiliated conferences and negotiations.

Mr. Stovall was a steadfast advocate for climate justice and served as representative of the FSM to, and co-chair of, the working group on adaptation of the International Negotiating Committee for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change prior to its signature in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Mr. Stovall continued to provide climate-related advice and counsel to the FSM on climate issues ever since.

Born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1937, Mr. Stovall earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Alabama. He served in the U.S. military in Korea and Germany as member of the JAG Corps (Judge Advocate General’s Corps). After his service he joined the influential Washington, DC law firm of Clifford & Warnke. He was designated by the firm to provide legal advice to the Micronesian Status Negotiations beginning in 1972 through signing of the Compact in 1986. Mr. Stovall continued to serve as chief legal advisor to the FSM during negotiations on the Amended Compact, which concluded in 2003, and continued as an adviser to the JCRP in its current discussions with the United States on extension of expiring provisions of the Compact beyond 2023. Mr. Stovall also served as trusted adviser to all nine FSM Presidents, from first FSM President Tosiwo Nakayama in 1979 through President David Panuelo until 2023.

“Jim touched the lives of people of Micronesia through his unwavering dedication to helping FSM gain recognition on the world stage. He earned the respect and trust of leaders of my country through his more than 50 years of professional counseling,” explained senior Micronesian diplomat Asterio Takesy. “Mr. Stovall walked away from a Washington, DC-based prestigious law firm to help a tiny newborn state, the Federated States of Micronesia, grow into what it is today; he cared deeply for the people and fell in love with Micronesia.”

Without exception, those who knew Mr. Stovall often found him to be the epitome of the stereotypical southern gentleman lawyer. He could be thorny in his defense of the FSM and its positions, when needed, but most will remember him as a kind, gentle man whose heartfelt love for his family and friends, the FSM, the Micronesian people, and the planet never wavered.

The Stovall Memorial Scholarship will provide tuition assistance to a young woman in either elementary or high school high school attending an independent school in anywhere within the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

“I am particularly grateful to Mrs. LouAnn Stovall, who along with her two daughters, has extended the family’s support for the establishing this memorial scholarship,” explained Neil Mellen, Executive Director of Habele. “In my own dealings with Jim, I was consistently amazed at his brilliant mind, sharp memory for details, and the way in which he retained both a sense of optimism as well as practical sense for working through tough details. His love for the FSM and its peoples was palpable, and his decades of service speak to that.”

Habele Carving, Literacy, Robotics, Scholarships, Weaving

Report highlights Habele’s expanded support for Micronesian Students and Schools

Habele, a US nonprofit that serves students and schools across Micronesia, has released its annual report for 2023.

The report details another year of expanded service across the Federated States.

Among the highlights:

  • 126 Tuition Scholarships were awarded to elementary and high school students across Micronesia for the 2023-24 school year;
  • 95 boxes of books were provided to schools and libraries;
  • 3,628 books were sent directly to children under five years of age through the “Young Island Readers” program;
  • 25 boxes of tools and supplies provided to weavers and carvers through Habele’s support for extracurricular traditional skills mentorships; and
  • 38 Boxes of robotics and 3d printing equipment, materials and supplies provided to high school based clubs across the four FSM States.

The Habele Outer Island Education Fund is a US-based, IRS-recognized, not-for-profit organization with the stated mission of advancing educational access and opportunities across Micronesia. Established in 2006 by three former Peace Corps Volunteers who lived and taught in Micronesia, Habele believes that each island child, no matter how isolated, deserves the chance to reach their full potential. In the rapidly changing world that stretches far beyond the shores of their beautiful islands and atolls, these students are true underdogs.

Habele Literacy

3,000th book mailed to Yap so far in 2023

“Young Island Readers” is a book-a-month donation program that provides children in Yap State from birth to age five a new age appropriate each and every month. In mid-October the 3,000th book this year will reach the Post Office box of a family on Yap.

The heart of Young Island Readers is Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL). The Imagination Library was founded and created by songwriter, musician, actress, author and business-woman, Dolly Parton, in her hometown of Sevierville, Tennessee in 1996. She envisioned a community-based program providing children with free, home-delivered books from birth to their 5th birthday.
Habele is the “local affilate” or on-the-ground partner for DPIL in Micronesia. Established by former Peace Corps Volunteers, Habele is a US nonprofit, invested in the future and potential of Micronesian students since 2006. Though the program is both effective and efficient, there are still ongoing costs borne by Habele and these are generously provided by the individual Americans who support Habele.

 

Babyor ko btir rom u Habele!

Habele ea bayi pii ko bitir rom bake babyor ni yu puul, nge mada’ ko ngiyal’ nike gamane lal eduw rok’ ni dariy pulwon. Gamad be a thapeg ni ra ilal ma baadag e bieg babyor. Kugoged ni be’eg babyor ko bitir, ma gubine bitir ni baye duuw rok’ ngatanggine laal, mara yog ninge sign faun ngay.

Ba’ba form ni bay ni pii ngom ningam fill nag mag fulweg ko chaan nike piingom, fa min moen’ ngalangin ere box ni baaray ko “Young Island Readers Dropbox.”

Fa gara yan kore website ne baaray www.habele.org/read mag yiloy fidingam u online. Faan ra gamaa paru dakan e nam nu Waab, ma Habele ea bayi pii yuke babyor ngom ni yu puul u P.O. Box. Faan ra gamaa paru Ulithi, Fais fa Woleai, ma ra yibe yuke babyor nem ngomu sikokiy ko PMA. Faan ra gama paru yugrebe donguchen yu Waab, ma ra I yib e yuke babyor nem ngom nikan tay nga mail bag u barkow.

Yal titi babior mirel Habele!

Pangal meram nge Habele yebe fange seew buuku ngali laum saari gasiyee yela gola lago mena galimouwal yaal birthday. Yetoar paluwel iye book kale. Sitipeli be saari laum yebe mesaigeti gare geshangi geragireg iga yebe fefetaltag. Si faseongiu be “Young Island Readers.” Ye tai tiwegil semaliu saari ye chiil ragil faal limou raagi nge yebe mewl tabeye gare fateofato itale.

Gemaneo shagiu babiyor yeel nge gosa gatefali ngali yaremate la ye ganooge, gare iselilong lani Habele Young Island Readers kagool. Gare golago woal www.habele.org/read be gobe siine longo iyange. Gare go kasog woal Yap, nge yebe seew meram nge Habele yebe fange buuk reel yaamu PO Box. Gare golog woal Ulithi, Fais, Woleai nge PMA yebe gasine tage. Gare golog woal meratag, nge rebe fange tag shiul waafaliuw lani tutul mail.

habele Robotics

Summer Break an Opportunity for STEM Development in Chuuk

A team of students and educators from Pohnpei broke from summer relaxation to share their enthusiasm for high school robotics with peers in Chuuk.

Three students and two educators from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School (OLMCHS) travelled to Chuuk to lead a four-day robotics workshop. Over the course of the training, students from public and private high schools across Chuuk partnered with the Pohnpei team to build, operate and compete their very own robots. For Weipat High School, located in Chuuk’s Northwest Islands, this represented the school’s first hands-on interaction with the new technology.

The building workshop was sponsored by Habele, a US non-profit that designed and implemented a robotics league extending across all four states of the FSM. OLMCHS was one of the first schools in Pohnpei to join in the Robo League in 2018, and has hosted annual Robo Day competitions, in which participating high schools gather to compete for the title of Pohnpei Robo Day Champions. Chuuk Department of Education generously made the Chuuk High School gymnasium available for the week, as well as providing food and encouragement for all the participants.

Teams of all experience levels at the training began with an unassembled robotics kit, and with the help of the team from Pohnpei, worked through each of the parts and their functions. Surrounded by piles of metal and electronic components, each school team tweaked and troubleshot their way to a functioning robot. While beginning students have clear instructions to follow, experimenting and exploring with the equipment is encouraged.

“Creative problem solving is key here,” said Matt Coleman, Habele’s Director of Operations. “Students learn to analyze a challenge, and use the parts they have on hand to resolve it. It is an important skill to develop for any vocation.”

After completing their first robotics build, teams worked on controlling the robots through a variety of simple tasks. As the workshop progressed, challenges became more complex. The culmination of the training was a series of competitive events to test robotics dexterity and function for points. Prior to the final competition, students were encouraged by Dr. Margarita Cholymay, Director of Chuuk Department of Education, who praised them for learning new skills, and urged them to take advantage of the educational opportunities provided. The team from Saruman Chuuk Academy won first place in the competition, with Xavier High School coming in second, and Weipat High School taking third. All teams demonstrated tremendous growth over the course of the training. Students will return to their schools with a working robot, and enthusiasm to share what they learned with their peers.

“Peer to peer training encourages active participation and engagement among learners,” said Russell Figueras, Principal of OLMCHS, and one of the trainers for the workshop. “When students are involved in teaching their peers, they become more invested in the learning process and more likely to grasp and retain the information. This was an awesome learning experience for our students.”

The training workshop is the last Habele-sponsored robotics event in Chuuk. The US nonprofit is sunsetting its involvement in high school robotics across the FSM after over a decade, but hopes robotics education evolves further through support from FSM national and state governments.

Habele will continue to offer tuition scholarships to students attending private elementary and high schools in the FSM, donations to schools and libraries, direct monthly book deliveries to children under the age of five (“Young Island Readers”), and donations of tools to traditional carvers and weavers.