Culture-based wellbeing, sexuality curriculum for Chuukese, Chamorro communities in Guam

MANGILAO, Guam—In an effort to reduce the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in Chuukese and Chamorro communities, the Office of Minority Health Resource Center designed a culturally relevant curriculum distinct to each community. The authors of the curriculum will be facilitating a training next week, Sept. 18 to Sept. 22 at the Guam Museum. 

The training, which is hosted by the Office of Minority Health in collaboration with Guam’s Alternative Lifestyle Association, will focus specifically on the Chuukese component of the curriculum.

The curriculum will be introduced to the community at large on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 9:30am in the Guam Museum’s Indoor Theater.

The curriculum, titled “Navigating Personal Wellbeing & Sexuality: A Facilitator’s Guide for Working with Chuukese and Chamorro Communities,” is a culture-based resource for peer educators, teachers, counselors, social workers, community and traditional leaders, and healthcare advocates who educate about personal wellness, sexuality, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases in Chuukese and Chamorro communities.

It includes 10 lessons that address culturally distinct attitudes, myths, beliefs, and human behavior.  

It also aims to explore barriers rooted in specific beliefs and attitudes that may place individuals at greater risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. 

The authors, Dr. Lisa Linda Natividad and Dr. Timmy de la Cruz, worked with experts with in-depth knowledge of Chuukese and Chamorro cultures and history. Their efforts in developing these lessons were guided and informed by community leaders, educators, parents, youth, and members of the LGBT community in Chuuk, Guåhan, and Saipan. 

The University of Guam Press, with a grant from the Office of Minority Health Resource Center, published the curriculum and accompanying participant workbooks for both Chuukese and Chamorro communities.

Next week’s training will cover all 10 lessons in the curriculum and provide participants with culturally appropriate tools to address sex, human sexuality, sexual orientation and personal wellbeing practices that reflect Chuukese worldviews, values, histories, attitudes, beliefs and learning styles.

The five-day training costs $40 and includes lunch, a copy of the curriculum, a participant workbook and a certificate of trainer status. Participants may register by contacting Flo at 969-5483 or emailing galaguam.va@gmail.com. (PR)