Let’s Move Marianas expo on Tinian a success

The Let’s Move Marianas and Week of the Young Child 2015 expo last Saturday was a complete success with over 200 members of the Tinian community taking part in the event.

Tinian Health Center, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Division of Public Health, Tinian Public Library, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, and the Let’s Move Marianas Alliance coalesced to stage the 2015 expo that was held from 9am to 1pm at the Tinian Elementary School.

Participants have fun with the obstacle course during last Saturday’s activities for the expo held on Tinian under Let’s Move Marianas and Week of the Young Child programs.

Children and other community members take part in an exercise activity as part of the 2015 Let’s Move Marianas and Week of the Young Child Tinian Expo last Saturday at Tinian Elementary School. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS)

The event offered a variety of positive, health-related information and activities to support the community of Tinian in making changes toward a healthy and active lifestyle.

DPH diabetes project assistant and Let’s Move Marianas coordinator Amber Lynn Mendiola said that certified representatives from Northern Marianas Athletics and other involved agencies also conducted a four-sectioned obstacle course.

“Many participants loved the activity. Tinian Health Center provided flu vaccines for the community. Fruits and sandwiches were available throughout the event. Some of the team arrived on Tinian since Thursday and conducted meetings with community members and outreach to the school,” Mendiola said.

“The event started with the walk from Tinian Elementary School, around the village, and back. The participants were then broken into age groups to start the fun activities. Other exhibitors were Partners in Print and CNMI Head Start. The Childcare and Development Fund showcased programs for young children and presented to parents about childcare services in the CNMI,” she added.

DPH aims to provide preventive health services and educate the community on the prevention and/ control of non-communicable diseases and address behavioral health that would empower the island’s community to make healthy lifestyle choices and by knowing what services and resources are available on the island of Tinian.

“This is an annual event. And the Let’s Move Marianas Alliance is working on projects for the next year such as Community Gardens, Workplace Wellness, and working with community organizations to increase physical activity in the villages,” Mendiola said.

Collaborating agencies included DPH’s Non-Communicable Disease Bureau, DCCA-Childcare and Development Fund, JKPL, DCC-Division of Youth Services, Northern Marianas College, Northern Marianas Athletics, CNMI Headstart, Northern Marianas Humanities Council’s Motherread Fatherread Program, and DPH-Early Childhood Comprehensive.

Mendiola also said that they would like to thank Tinian government agencies that helped with the collaboration including the Tinian Mayor’s Office, Tinian Elementary School, Tinian Public Library, CNMI Head Start on Tinian, Tinian Jr./Sr. High School, and DCCA on Tinian.