March 13th, 2005

What did I mean by that?  Well, basically our success in the Peace Corps is contingent upon so many different things:  our agencies readiness level to work with us, the community's needs and our skill level matching, our ability to manage stress and adapt to a new way of life, AND support from our friends and family back home or anywhere you may be.  In other words, we couldn't succeed without you.  When you send donations/books/etc., pass along info. about our projects, give us leads on grants and fundraising opportunities, you're helping us to succeed and that's no less important than us being here on the "frontline" representing for everyone who gets involved with our projects.  With that said, here are some of my projects you may be interested in getting involved with:

• The Kaday Library is looking for non-fiction, all subjects, to complete it's collection.  We are also looking for a used tape player for the Books-On-Tape that were donated.  The women would like a sewing machine to use as a community resource for income generation.  Email me for a complete "wish list".
• The Mount Tabiwol Site Development Project

  This project was initiated by members of the Rumuu’ Community (Peace Corps Volunteers should be a resource for those outside of their community as well) and has been discussed in length for a number of years.  Acting with support from many leaders and stakeholders of concerned organizations and government agencies, this partnership wishes to bring the project to fruition. The Tabiwol project will not only realize the community’s development goals, but also bring together the goals of Yap State’s Historic Preservation Office, Visitors Bureau, and other related agencies in the areas of tourism development, culture and biodiversity preservation, and education.

              The project will make available to visitors and locals a trail mapped along the path of culturally and historically significant sites.  Plant and trees will be marked along the path educating all guests about Yaps’ botanical wonders.  Initial trail mapping will include identification of sites that can be cleared for picnicking, camping, and sunrise/sunset look-out points from Yaps’ highest peak.  The Tabiwol project will be a challenging and diverse compliment to other trails currently available.  Plans also include modest clearing for additional intermediate and advanced trails for hiking as well as a bike trail.  The Mount Tabiwol Site Development Project aims to meet Yaps’ goals of economic self-sufficiency and education by maximizing the value of our resources, while maintaining the integrity of our land, our culture, and our people.

  The village is anticipating the trail clearing to begin sometime this summer.  If you were thinking it was time for a vacation this summer, and think you might like Yap, maybe you'd like to come and help Rumuu' Village with their new endeavor.  For the Adventure Ecotourist in You! 

• The S.O.S. Day Camp, Save Our Summer '05                       S.O.S. Day Camp began here in Yap State, Micronesia just last summer as an effort toward relief from a typhoon that devastated the island last April.  US Peace Corps and Japan International Cooperation Agency Volunteers came together, with donations sent from friends and family for typhoon relief, and put forth an effort to implement a summer camp.  S.O.S. Day Camp was planned in only one month and ended as a huge success.  The camp consisted of a weeklong curriculum and traveled to five different communities around the island.  The Volunteers created fun activities and games based on the themes of Creativity, Environment, Community Involvement, Leadership & Goal Setting, and Sports.  Though Yap’s children were busy working side-by-side with their families to rebuild their homes, we felt that week of camp was a valuable form of relief that focused on giving the children a fun, educational, and creative outlet during the nine month “summer break” until the schools were rebuilt. 
• We are requesting your support in bringing the camp to fruition again this summer and to hopefully make the event an ongoing program for years to come.  Yap’s children have very few healthy outlets for their energy and creativity, so we believe this type of program fills a need here pre and post typhoon.  We are soliciting various forms of aid including:  monetary donations, supplies, and activity ideas.  Currently, a group of volunteers are working hard to begin fundraising efforts on island and to increase local involvement.  However, building relationships and making partners abroad will help to make this program sustainable.  §         If you are able to donate supplies from the attached list, please send an email to Minema Kirk, Camp Coordinator, @ minemak@hotmail.com with a description of your contribution. (List To Yet Posted)  §         If you are able to send a monetary donation, please make the check or money order payable to S.O.S. Day Camp and mail it to:  P.O. Box 190, Colonia, Yap, FM  96943v      We will be able to provide you with a receipt and Tax ID number so that you may use your contribution as a tax deduction.

Any assistance that you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated.  If you have any questions, concerns, or would like more information on Yap Island, S.O.S. Day Camp, or other volunteer projects, please feel free to contact me. 

Minema Kirk

Peace Corps Micronesia, Group #70