FSMIS (July 2, 2013): A community group from Sekere, Pohnpei
with Chuukese origin, recently visited President Manny Mori as part of their “reunion”
and outreach mission this summer.
Led by Mrs.
Erlyner Milli Phillip, the group consisting mostly of elder women and youth,
made its way back to visit families in Pohnpei after staying in Honolulu,
Hawaii for over 20 years.
“The purpose
of our visit is to reconnect with families and make our children more aware of
their origin, home and their government”, Mrs. Phillip explained during their
brief moment with President Mori.
Marvin
Phillip, leader of the youth group, said his group was part of a church
community.
“We take
part in outreach programs for youth-at-risks in our community along with other
youth groups from other parts of Micronesia and the Pacific region.”
Mrs. Phillip
expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity allowed her youth group to meet
the President, some of whom could only converse in English as they were born
and raised in Hawaii.
President
Mori praised the decision to take the “reunion” trip, stressing the importance
for the children to appreciate their origin and learn their language and
culture.
The
President also emphasized the importance of being good visitors residing in
Hawaii and giving back in constructive ways to their communities and those in
need.
The youth
group demonstrated a part of their outreach services in song and dance often
used in uniting youth of different backgrounds and in inter-group gatherings.
Mrs. Phillip
and her community entourage arrived on Pohnpei on June 19 and will return to
Hawaii early July.
For information,
FSMPIO at 320-2548 or fsmpio@mail.fm.
Wow, that's a trip that served a purpose!!!
ReplyDeleteMy commendation and praise for Mrs. Phillip and members of her Sekere family for never forgetting their roots. Taking the time and resources to reconnect and reunite with their home community is a model and exemplary act that citizens residing overseas will do well to occasionally rekindle in their hearts to insure close affinity with their cultural, social and familial ties. The risk of losing touch with one's origin is increasingly become real and felt by FSM citizens living overseas, particularly youths born in places other than their home given the privileges long enjoyed under the Compact. Given the prospects of Compact perpetuity along with the continued ease of migration of FSM citizens, we will continue to see deeper and extensive integration of our citizens in their widely dispersed and deeply erected communities overseas. Unless they find ways to keep in touch with their cultural and social roots in their respective localities, periodic visitations such as the one undertaken by Mrs. Phillip and her entourage are one way to keep them connected and appreciative of their origins. Otherwise, the risk of losing touch with home base will continue to be real for many of our citizens residing abroad. The repercussions are unfathomable.
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