Early in April, a massive super typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands strewn across the Western Pacific.

Home to a primarily subsistence economy, Micronesia's most remote "Outer Islands" lay directly in Super Typhoon Maysak's violent path. The islands have deep historic and strategic ties to the US.

Habele has been sending Response Kits and Recovery Kits to families and local community organizations. You can help this all-volunteer effort by donating right now. We've highlighted other reputable groups and individuals serving victims as well.

Habele is also sending micro Action Grants directly to local partners who've demonstrated exceptionally innovative or sustainable responses.

The first of these was a $1,000 check awarded to Pacific Missionary Aviation (PMA). Decades of service and experience translates into an immediate response, daily delivering subsistence materials to islands with runways, notably Ulithi and Fais. Regular updates are posted on their PMA Facebook page.

A second action grant is headed to Waa'gey, a local cultural organization operating throughout Yap State. A long time Habele partner, their Typhoon Response efforts are most focused on remote islands and atolls such as Fechaulap, which lack airstrips. They've further committed to provide support for transient students displaced by the destruction of Outer Island High School (OIHS) on Falalop, Ulithi.


Habele is also distributing "Moving Past Maysak" t-shirts for local organizations to sell as fundraising items. The shirts will be provided free of charge so all net receipts can be reinvested in Typhoon response. Shirts will also be provided to volunteers and relief workers.

The "Moving Past Maysak" logo is free to use and can be downloaded in JPG, PNG, EPS and AI formats.
To donate to Habele:

or send check or money order to 
Habele, 701 Gervais St, STE 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.

Habele is a tax exempt, all-volunteer, US based nonprofit with a proud history of high impact support for our partners in Micronesia.

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Early in April, a massive typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands strewn across the Western Pacific.

Home to a primarily subsistence economy, several of Micronesia's most remote "Outer Islands" lay directly in Super Typhoon Maysak's violent path. The islands have deep historic and strategic ties to the US.

Particularly hard hit were the Atolls of Ulithi (Mogmog, Falalop, Asor and Federai Islands), Fechaulap, and the Island of Fais.

You can help the recovery from this devastating storm. Habele is proud to recommend (this growing list):

SUPPLY CHAIN


Pacific Missionary Airlines (PMA): Decades of service and experience translates into an immediate response, daily delivering subsistence materials to islands with runways, notably Ulithi and Fais. Updates on the PMA Facebook page. Give to PMA here.



INDIVIDUAL INITIATIVES

Brad Holland is a free lance photographer whose startling pictures have brought world wide attention to the devastation. Among his ongoing efforts to tackle the crisis is a  Fundly Donation Drive that allows for purchase of supplies on Yap Proper that are sent directly to Ulithi through PMA. Updates on Brad's Facebook page. Give to Brad here.

Peter Crispell is headed south from Guam to Ulithi with supplies. Peter is raising funds through IndieGoGo to bring basic building materials with him. Donate to Peter here.

REGIONAL NGOs and ISLAND COMMUNITIES

FUNSO  (Fais Ulithi Ngulu Sorol Organization) was created to do exactly what is accomplishing now: coordinating immediate delivery of subsistence supplies to weather torn communities on its namesake islands. Connect with FUNSO through its Facebook Page.

Waa'gey is cultural organization using mentorships to sustain and expand traditional skills. Its defacto role as social organizer of Outer Islanders living on Yap Proper places it at the center of exchanges and logistics between islands. Wag'gey is particularly focused on remote islands (those lacking runways) and donations that fit within cultural practices. Donate to Waa'gey here.

Individual Micronesians -and their friends- living on Guam, in the Northern Marianas, on Hawaii and elsewhere have been fundraising and organizing donations.

Rotary Clubs throughout the region, including those on Pohnpei, Guam and in Palau and the Philippines are are compiling and sending donations of relief materials. Find your nearest club or contact one already organizing donations here.

SCHOOLS

Xavier High School, whose reputation as the preeminent secondary school in Pacific is undisputed, is soliciting donations through New York Province of the Society of Jesus. Funds will go both to the school and the surrounding communities in Chuuk. Donate here.

Outer Island High School (OIHS) on Falalop, Ulithi serves students from islands throughout Yap State. It was decimated by Maysak. Cal Tiweyang has a GoFundMe donation drive accepting contributions here.

BIG NGOS and GOVERNMENTS

The State Governments of Yap and Chuuk are organizing relief. The national government of the Federated States of Micronesia as well. International nongovernmental organizations such as the Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are similarly responding; so are US taxpayers through US AID.


... and of course HABELE!

Habele is an all volunteer, US-based, nonprofit established by former Peace Corps. Habele is working with it's local partners, including Waa'gey, creating Response Kits and Recovery Kits.

As Governments and large NGOs are taking big steps in providing water and food, temporary shelters, Habele is looking to the specific needs of communities in the mid- to long-term. This includes niche tools for demolition and reconstruction; logistical support and school materials for Outer Islanders migrating to Yap Proper for completion of the school year; as well as coordination and funding for women groups organizing donations of live planting food crops and trees.

To donate to Habele:

or send check or money order to 
Habele, 701 Gervais St, STE 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.

Habele is a tax exempt, all-volunteer, US based nonprofit with a proud history of high impact support for our partners in Micronesia.

Habele donors and volunteers are answering the call of those who've endured Super Typhoon Maysak! The record breaking storm devastated low lying islands and atolls of Yap State, Micronesia. You can help.

As contributions come in -through Paypal or to 701 Gervais St, Set 150-244, Columbia SC 29201- volunteers are assembling boxes of donations for immediate shipment to Habele's partners on the ground.

These include Response Kits, with basic medicines, simple first aid, children's vitamins, and mosquito repellent, as well as Recovery Kits, which help start the process of clearing and rebuilding.

Each Recovery Kit includes:

• Industrial metal shears, two pair
• Electrogalvanized roofing nails
• Metal tape and weatherproof sealants
• Tape measure, post level and sliding T-bevel
• Wide wood chisel, 550 paracord and a small battery powered light

Habele is a US-based charity, established in 2006 by former Peace Corps Volunteers and teachers who've lived and worked throughout Micronesia. The contents of these kits are based on the specific requests made by community members and partner organizations in Yap State.


Our focus remains those hardest hit; communities on Ulithi, Fais and Fechaulap.

Please donate now:

or send check or money order to 
Habele, 701 Gervais St, STE 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.

Habele is a tax exempt, all-volunteer, US based nonprofit with a proud history of high impact support for our partners in Micronesia.

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Habele donors and volunteers are answering the call of those who've endured Super Typhoon Maysak! That record breaking storm devastated low lying islands and atolls of Yap State, Micronesia. You can help!



Habele volunteers have begun assembling simple kits based on the specific requests of on-island partners at schools and community organizations. Each contains: 20 bars of antibacterial soap; 3 tubes of antibacterial ointment; 4 canisters of mosquito repellent; 2 bottles of anti diarrhea medicine; 3 small bottles of anti diarrhea pills; 2 bottles of ibuprofen pills, 1 bottle of acetaminophen; 2 bottles of children's pain reliever; 2 bottles of children' chewable vitamins.

Habele -an all volunteer charity- is able to purchase the supplies for $131 per kit and send them for a further $16 in postage directly to communities on Ulithi (Mogmog, Falalaop, Federai and Asor), Fais, and Fechaulap.



Special thanks to James McDonald and Daniel Nodine, both of Columbia, SC; Leslie Hittner of Winona, MN; and Cynthia Rookus of Jamestown, TN for their immediate and generous PayPal donations to Habele!

Please donate now:

or send check or money order to
Habele, 701 Gervais St, STE 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.

Habele is a tax exempt, all-volunteer, US based nonprofit with a proud history of high impact support for our partners in Micronesia. Share

Tuesday a massive typhoon ravaged Micronesia, a chain of remote islands strewn across the Western Pacific. You can help the recovery.

Home to a primarily subsistence economy, several of Micronesia's most remote "Outer Islands" lay directly in Super Typhoon Maysak's violent path. The islands have deep historic and strategic ties to the US.



The Weather Channel reported the storm broke records for timing and intensity; that destructive power hit low lying atolls in Chuuk and Yap State with particular intensity. Those inevitably bearing the greatest burden are school aged children, many of whom lack sandals. They are most susceptible to the impact of food and nutrient shortages following the flooding of taro patches and village gardens.

Habele, a South Carolina based nonprofit serving students and schools throughout Micronesia is coordinating direct support for the most remote victims of the storm with long time on-island local partners.




Please, either make a tax exempt donation to Habele -or another reputable, locally fluent charity- or consider sending supplies directly to community organizations on Ulithi (Mogmog, Falalaop, Federai and Asor), Fais, and Fechaulap.



Habele's partners have begun initial assessment, identifying the immediate need for:

• childrens' size sandals (zorries)
• childrens' vitamins
• over the counter medicines (stomach, headache, prenatal)
• tarps and ropes
• PVC pipe fittings (3/4 elbows, Ts, couplings)
• mosquito repellents
• hand sanitizers and soaps
• chainsaws and parts

Donate to Habele now through:

Or by sending payment to Habele, at 701 Gervais Street, Suite 150-244, Columbia, SC 29201.

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Decyann Pete, a junior at Yap Catholic High School, earned a third place finish in the prestigious 2014 Maryknoll International Essay Contest.

The contest's theme centered on a quote of Pope Francis. Speaking to young people as "architects of the future," the Holy Father implored them to, "Have courage. Go forward. Make Noise."

Students worldwide were asked to write a letter to Pope addressing that topic. Over 7,000 high school students from around the globe submitted their works.

In her letter, Decyann wrote about her involvement with the Ocean One Choir, The First Friday Planning Team which helps plan youth events in churches throughout Yap, as well as "the Flying Proas," the YCHS traditional sailing team which won its first race at this year's Canoe Festival.

Decyann, a native of Satawal, attends Yap Catholic with the help of a Habele Scholarship.

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Each year since 2012, students from two independent high schools on Yap have held a “Robo Day” exhibition. The fast paced event showcases the technical accomplishments of the student robotics teams for the People of Yap. These annual Robo Day competitions at the Colonia civic center last only a few hours but reflect the hard work of students and teachers throughout the entire school year.

Soon, students from a third school –Yap Public High School– may be joining in on “Robo Day” as well.

Vex robotics teams were established at the Yap SDA School and Yap Catholic High School in the fall of 2011. The US based charity “Habele” coordinated the donation of robotics kits from students from the robotics team at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in West Hills, California.  The pan-Pacific partnership included materials, instructional videos, and peer-to-peer encouragement.

Working with support from the team at Chaminade, as well as the instruction from their own schools’ teachers, the student teams at SDA and YCHS have grown steadily ever since. Members design, build, and compete mechanically complex robots, learning important Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills in a hands-on fashion. Many of the students initially involved with the teams have since graduated and moved onto higher education in STEM fields, in large part due to their experiences with the Robo League.


Now, through the generous investment of the Matson Foundation, materials and support are being provided to update and expand the Robo League. Once again American students at Chaminade have gathered and assembled materials to supply teams in Yap. These heavy and large donations have been organized by Habele, and delivered to educators on Yap through the financial support of Matson, a Pacific-wide public shipping company with a celebrated history of philanthropy and community engagement. Teams at Yap Catholic and the SDA School will be re-provisioned, and materials will be offered to educators at Yap Public High School for the creation of a new team.



Jamie Mooteb, a college-bound senior at YCHS cites the Robo League as a source of personal inspiration. "I’ve hoped to study engineering ever since joining the robotics club freshman year." "I'm really excited about the newly donated equipment,” Jamie continued.  “It will be cool to have all three high schools compete. Thanks to Matson and the students at Chaminade High School for making this possible!"



Bernie Valencia, General Manager, Matson Guam, echoed Jamie’s enthusiasm. “Matson’s employees and their families are proud to partner with Habele, investing in the students and schools of Yap. Matson knows first hand how science and engineering are the key to innovation and growth; that makes the Robo League so special to us.”

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With the second quarter of the school year well underway, first quarter report cards from Habele Tuition Scholarship winners have begun to arrive.

Habele's merit- and need-based scholarships allow students from the most isolated islands and villages of Micronesia (FSM) to attend prestigious independent schools in the district capitols. Recipient families provide Habele with report cards, photos, letters, and other indicators of their students' progress over the course of the school year.

Students at these schools -and Habele scholars in particular- are several times more likely their than peers to consistently attend school, graduate on-time, and transition successfully into post secondary education.

"I will [sic] write to say thank you Habele for your assistance in paying my tuition," explained second grader Peter attending Berea Christian Academy in Chuuk. "I hope you can continue helping me so I can attend this school again," continued Peter, a native of Nema, an island in the Mortlocks. He earned all "A's" save a single "B" in reading in the first quarter of the 2014-15 school year.

Other Habele programs serving students across Micronesia and Palau include traditional skills mentorships, sports teams, high school robotics competitions, and book donations.

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Habele, the US charity serving students in Micronesia, is sending carving tools to culture teachers in the outlying islands of Yap State.

The blades, files, stones and brushes will help expert mentors provide hands on instruction to students safely. "This donation is important for two reasons," explained Habele volunteer Alex Sidles.

"The work of master carvers in Micronesia  preserves intrinsically valuable cultural traditions and it also equips young men with the practical building skills required for life in the remotest parts of the Pacific."

Habele has a proud history of providing top grade equipment and other specialized support to public school culture teachers as well as Waa'gey, an acclaimed island based civic organization working to preserve traditional skills. "We are particularly grateful for the help of Curtis Loftis, the State Treasurer of South Carolina, for personally sponsoring this gift of top-notch tools," continued Sidles.

Other Habele programs serving students across Micronesia and Palau include tuition scholarships, sports teams, high school robotics competitions, and book donations.

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