Food, used textbooks, schools desks donated to Chuuk isles

Islanders in five isolated islands of the Namonweito atolls of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia will receive food supplies and usable textbooks from Guam’s public and private schools, medicine and medical supplies courtesy of Kyowa Shipping and their local Guam agent, Marianas Steamship Agency, who donated the shipping cost for a 20-foot container from Guam.

Kyowa Lines delivered a 20-foot container full of books, school desks, medicine and medical supplies to Weno last Oct. 23, where it was transferred to the Sea Haven, a 110-foot ship owned by Pacific Missionary Aviation for distribution to Magur, Ulul, Namonweito atoll.

The Ayuda Foundation has learned how to divert used textbooks and school desks from Guam’s landfill and instead give them a second use in Micronesia’s schools.

Most recently, students from Price Elementary School in Mangilao, Guam donated 130 desks for the school kids on the distant atoll islands of Namonweito.

Marcial Sablan Elementary School, Jose Rios Middle School, and San Vicente School are just a few of the Guam schools now participating in the Ayuda Foundation’s donated book program.

The desks and books are surveyed first by the Government of Guam, which means they have been replaced by new books and desks.

Sea Haven captain Norbert Kalau was asked to come to Weno and load up a cargo of food supplies for the Namonweito islands to alleviate a food shortage brought on by recent typhoons that have battered breadfruit and taro crops.

Kalau asked the Ayuda Foundation if they had any donated cargo they would like to move out to the islands since it is so hard to get there and no one wants to see a ship go out barely loaded. The Ayuda Foundation filled a 20-foot container and asked Kyowa for donated space on board the next cargo ship bound for Weno.

This was the third time this year Kyowa has worked with the Ayuda Foundation. In January and again in May, the Ayuda Foundation filled up two 40-foot containers with donated used textbooks, office furniture, and medical equipment for Chuuk hospital and schools.

Kyowa has been serving the islands of the Western Pacific for 28 years. Company officials in Japan, who have okayed each donation request, say they are pleased to help the school children of Micronesia and to show their commitment to the communities they service. (PR)