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The man’amko need their home back!
The Soudelor disaster came out of the blue and has brought so many troubles to the Mariana people. Everyone got hurt! Some categories of the population got hurt even more! For example, the man’amko got deprived not only of their living place conveniences but also their place of socialization, the the Man’amko Center at the Office on Aging complex.
These people who have given to our land’s prosperity their whole life are now privileged to visit the Man’amko Center in buses provided for them, to have their morning coffee or tea there, and a little later enjoy lunch. They sing and dance, play bingo, chat with each other to their hearts’ content. Here, they love, tolerate, and support each other. Some of them go into poetry, go online and connect with their dear ones using the computer. They are given consultation, help in documents handling and so on and on.
For most man’amko, going to the Man’amko Center means a lot. It’s not only a matter of small support. With their children far away from them, the Man’amko Center is the only place where they feel younger and needed again. The building and its surroundings are known to them for many, many years. They witness each other’s good and bad, the ups and downs of their lives.
Now, having been suddenly and brutally cut off from this small but dear part of their elderly existence, they just need their home back. Right now, the Man’amko Center is still serving as a temporary evacuation center. The shelterees having gotten proper FEMA support, they are now leaving the shelter and, supposedly, it is only a matter of days before the Man’amko Center can welcome the elderly again.
Many man’amko cannot wait to get back to these comfortable premises. The friendly staff of the Office on Aging, led by Mr. Manglona, an energetic gentleman who really cares for the man’amko, is ready to be more of service to their respectful and adored clientele.
The Man’amko Royalty and the Man’amko Council are happy with the upcoming reopening of the Man’amko Center and are full of energy to help the Office on Aging in getting our home back to being as beautiful as ever.
Diego Pua
Tanapag, Saipan
