Speakers Jacinta Helin, from the Carteret Atoll, and Steve Hanks, a Peace Corps volunteer in Bougainville where they met in 1993, who both now teach at Honokaa High School, will give a presentation regarding Tulele Peisa at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Campus Center in Room 301.
Speakers Jacinta Helin, from the Carteret Atoll, and Steve Hanks, a Peace Corps volunteer in Bougainville where they met in 1993, who both now teach at Honokaa High School, will give a presentation regarding Tulele Peisa at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Campus Center in Room 301.
Tulele Peisa is the community-based grassroots organization for the relocation of the Carteret Islanders necessitated by climate change. They also just won The United Nations Development Program Equator Prize.
Erosion, storm surge and high tides have taken a severe toll on the islands of the Carteret Atoll. The people have been suffering the effects of hunger and malnutrition for years.
It was under these dire conditions Tulele Peisa was born.
Ursula Rakova, a seasoned veteran of many community organizing efforts throughout Papua New Guinea, came home to help organize her own people.The islanders are working together with their host community to develop their natural resources in a responsible sustainable manner.
The relocated families now are living a happy, healthy lifestyle. Tulele Peisa was chosen for the Equator Prize from a pool of 1,234 entries from 121 countries, a tribute to the innovative ideas generated by this organization.
This event is cosponsored by the United Nations Association-USA-Hawaii Island Chapter and UH-Hilo International Student Services.
For more information, contact Rosemarie Muller at rcmuller27@hotmail.com.