Keeping traditional Micronesian canoe carving alive: modern tools based on ancient designs The outrigger canoes of the western Pacific islands of Yap are famous for their speed, performance and seaworthiness. The combination of hull shape, symmetry, and outrigger allow the craft to be quickly reversed when winds change, without the need to turn the hull … Continue reading Unique Adze Blades for Traditional Micronesian Canoe Carvers
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Kind words from Eauripik School for book donations
Months ago, Habele's volunteers gathered books for the students and educators on the small isolated Atoll of Eauripik in Yap State, Micronesia. Habele donors contributed to have them sent. The books made it Guam, then south to Yap Proper, and finally all the way to Eauripik aboard the small state-owned field trip ship. A teacher … Continue reading Kind words from Eauripik School for book donations
Preservation of Traditional Pacific Loom Weaving
"Loom is a solution for saving traditional Pacific island weaving from extinction" McClure, Joyce, Pacific Island Times, February 1, 2022, pages 31-32 When the young women of Yap’s remote outer islands leave home to seek a college education, better work opportunities or medical care on the U.S. mainland, the risk of leaving their cultural traditions … Continue reading Preservation of Traditional Pacific Loom Weaving
Books headed to schools on Woleai, Fais and Eauripik
Schools across Micronesia need books for classrooms and school-based libraries. Habele pairs individuals and groups who have books with educators in the FSM who are seeking them. We’ll even pay the postage! Micronesian schools make specific requests for books to Habele, most often elementary or high school level reading books. Volunteers, donors and other friends … Continue reading Books headed to schools on Woleai, Fais and Eauripik
3D Printers bring additive manufacturing to Micronesian classrooms
This December, high school students in Yap and Pohnpei used their own 3D printers to successfully create three dimensional models. These cutting edge, additive manufacturing machines were provided by Habele, the US non profit that also led the training. Participating schools earned the premium 3D printers in 2020 for excellence in completing Habele’s “Robotics … Continue reading 3D Printers bring additive manufacturing to Micronesian classrooms
Thousandth Book Mailed in Innovative Yap Literacy Program
A new age-appropriate book, delivered by mail to the family’s post office box, from birth until a child’s fifth birthday. That was the ambitious plan announced by Habele in the fall of 2020, kicking off “Young Island Readers” in Yap. The program aims to place books in the hands of young children where they spend … Continue reading Thousandth Book Mailed in Innovative Yap Literacy Program
Habele Scholarships: Report Cards Show Achievement, Hard Work
Each year, former Peace Corps Volunteers and other Americans with a personal connection Micronesia donate to help Habele award tuition scholarships to ambitious students in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Since 2006, Habele’s K12 scholarships have ensured that bright, hardworking students have access to the best education possible. Based on need and merit, these … Continue reading Habele Scholarships: Report Cards Show Achievement, Hard Work
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (6)
This is the sixth in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here. Ongoing Work Habele continues to build and send warping boards, loom frames, and weaving tools based on its … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (6)
Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (5)
This is the fifth in a series of posts dealing with Weaving Connections, a project of Habele to sustain and preserve Micronesian backstrap weaving traditions among Island populations who’ve migrated to the United States mainland. More here. Creation of Website Content The WeavingConnections.org domain was purchased and a draft website laid out. The site was … Continue reading Micronesian Looms: Weaving Connections in the US (5)
Targeted college book donations highlight US-Palau bonds
A group of off-duty US Army soldiers in Hawaii have teamed up with professors and students at two American universities to provide targeted donations of textbooks for Dr. Kris Kitalong’s students at Palau Community College in the Republic of Palau. Dr. Kitalong is a native of Palau, having taught at the College for many years. … Continue reading Targeted college book donations highlight US-Palau bonds