An alliance between the Ministry of Health and church leaders in Majuro was formed recently at Sandy’s restaurant with the aim of promoting water-only as the beverage of choice during church activities. Eight church leaders and proxies representing their churches joined in.

It was agreed during the 40-minute session that by signing the pledge, church leaders would abide and support promotion and awareness of water in their respective religious communities — to include less soda and healthier food on the menu for church events. Waan Aelon in Majel counselor Tolina Tomeing spearheaded the water initiative in partnership with Ministry of Health officials.

She and a small health contingent will monitor future church activities as part of the project, which was made available from funds from the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School under the School’s recent REACH grant. The REACH grant is provided by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work with US-affiliated islands on tobacco and nutrition intervention.

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