What’s your wish for the New Year?

Saipan Tribune asked members of the community what they wish for the CNMI in the upcoming year amidst several obstacles during the past year.

“I wish for everyone in the CNMI to have a prosperous New Year and to look ahead to all the windows of opportunities in life. Share the gift of giving, whether it be a doll for a little girl or moral support for a 60-year-old man who decides to go back to school.”
—Maria Takai, San Vicente

“My New Year’s wish for the CNMI is to have a better awareness of preparedness for all types of disasters so that our people do not relive the disaster we have just experienced from Soudelor. I hope and pray that everyone fill their hearts with love, peace, happiness, understanding and forgiveness for the New Year. God Bless!”
—Rose Taimanao Jones, Kagman

“My New Year’s wish for the CNMI is for the new governor to lead us in the right direction and for more transparency and victory against corruption.”
—Margie Camu, Koblerville

“I wish 2016 will bring more stability to the entire island economically, politically, socially, and personally.”
—Josephine Mesta, Kagman

“My New Years wish is for the CNMI to offer more fair-paying job opportunities so that our students currently studying abroad can actually have a reason to come and work at home. Too many jobs prefer higher education but pay peanuts, forcing many to work for the Public School System. No one wins with the status quo.”
—Del Eloise Mendiola, Koblerville

“I wish for the CNMI to finally have elected officials, who carry out his/her promises to the community and furthermore improve the economy and for elected officials to not be blinded by the incoming money that it is receiving for a dangerous price that might harm the CNMI in the long run.”
—Viron Tenorio, Kagman

“I wish that everyone will still find joy this season in spite of their loss.”
—Richard Aldan, As Matuis

“My New Year’s wish is to improve our cost of living so we can move forward and not backwards! Go green and recycle!
—Leilani Sablan Deleon Guerrero, San Roque

“My New Year’s wish for the CNMI is for everyone to know and seek God. He is our healer, our Father, and our King. Without Him we are incomplete. As we welcome the New Year 2016 we shall greet one another with love and kindness. We shall seek Jesus our Lord for strength, guidance, and protection among this upcoming year. To everyone out there, stay positive. Stay safe and may the Lord God bless you and your family. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17) I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13.)”
—Delores Mendiola, Kagman

“My wish is that despite all the challenges the CNMI community faced during 2015, that we all remain hopeful for the best this coming year. Also, that we continue working toward a better future for the islands.”
—Querlaine Blas, San Vicente
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“I wish that all the CW’s be approved and for better status in the future.”
—Tina Doctor, Chalan Laulau

“My wish for the New Year is to have a baby!”
—Donna Rivera, San Vicente