By Journal on April 26, 2019
Alson Kelen, Berlyann Labija, Kelly Lorennij, WAM
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![WAM Director Alson Kelen, center, with the new training group that started the six-month program April 22. Photo: Kelly Lorennij. Canoe team launches latest skills program](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WAM-4-26.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands/WAM) started a six-month training for youth Monday with 20 trainees ready to go. The two-part training includes Life Skills classes in the morning and vocational training in the afternoon. Classes include basic English, math, and computer, which are all taught by Berlyann Labija. In previous years […]
By Journal on April 26, 2019
Jo-Jikum, Kathy Jetnit-Kijiner, Kelly Lorennij, WAM
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![Participants in the Digital Storytelling workshop sponsored by multiple organizations that launched at the International Conference Center April 22. Photo: Kelly Lorennij. Telling the climate story](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/jo-jikum-4-26.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
KELLY LORENNIJ The youth non-profit Jo-Jikum is hosting a two-week Digital Storytelling workshop on climate change, a first in the Marshall Islands, which is headed by Jo-Jikum’s Director Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner and Project Manager Jina David. The program is supported by the non-profit organization 350.org’s Pacific Regional Coordinator Fenton Lutunatabua and Campaigner Joseph Sikulu. The workshop […]
By Journal on September 21, 2018
Binton Daniel, canoes, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, MIMRA, Waan Aelon in Majol, WAM
Feature Articles
![Waan Aelon in Majol’s master canoe builder Binton Daniel and a trainee work on an outrigger canoe that will be hung in the lobby of the new Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority headquarters building that is soon to open. Photo: Hilary Hosia. WAM finishing new canoe](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Fl-WAM-9-21.jpg?resize=555%2C280&ssl=1)
Truth be told: if you’re going to visit Waan Aelon in Majol, you will learn a thing or two or tree. Yes. Tree. WAM has been utilizing different trees in its mixed curriculum of classes in the morning and hands on craft work in the afternoon.
By Journal on May 31, 2018
Alson Kelen, Dennis Momotaro, Hideyuki Mitsuoka, Kanchi Hosia, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
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![Japan Ambassador Hideyuki Mitsuoka hands over a symbolic key to Ministry of Education, Training and Sports representative Public School System Commissioner Kanchi Hosia. The key was carved by WAM. Photo: Hilary Hosia. WAM: Maintenance is key](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/japan-wam-6-1.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
HILARY HOSIA The official handover of a new crane truck from the Embassy of Japan to Waan Aelon in Majol (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) Friday revealed a positive aspect about WAM: exemplary maintenance. In his remarks, Japan Ambassador Hideyuki Mitsuoka said he was amazed at the state and condition of the vocational training center […]
By Journal on May 3, 2018
Alson Kelen, David Allen Harvey, Floyd Takeuchi, Save Filolita Filemoni, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
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![A traditional canoe built by the Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) team soars above the WAM classroom, where a group of 25 trainees is engaged in the latest six-month vocational and life skills training. ‘Shooting’ the Majuro scene](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/wam2-5-4.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
GIFF JOHNSON A series of photo shoot opportunities brought a Hawaii-based professional photographer to Majuro last month. Following a visit to the College of Micronesia in Pohnpei to open an exhibit of photographs of Micronesia, Floyd Takeuchi spent several days in Majuro taking photos of three seemingly unconnected subjects: actress and student Save Filolita Filemoni, […]
By Journal on September 14, 2017
Alson Kelen, Arlington Tibon, Cory Jokray, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
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![Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) trainee Cory Jokray working on a series of outrigger canoe models as part of a six-month vocational and life skills training program that wraps up with a graduation September 28. Photo: Craig Vila. WAM opens doors](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/WAM-9-15.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
GIFF JOHNSON A graduation later this month will recognize a group of young people who had few opportunities in their lives earlier this year but now have multiple doors open for their future. Last month, Waan Aelon in Majel (WAM) graduated a group of over 20 Marshallese following a six-month training on woodworking. On September […]
By Journal on August 17, 2017
Alexandre Sanchez, Alson Kelen, Archie Horiuchi, Ejnar Aerok, Elmi Juonraan, Ivanancy Vunikura, Kathrilla Rikeo, Okeanos, Vaka Motu, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
News Archive
![Crew and passengers aboard the Vaka Motu after arriving at Arno Atoll recently. Photo: Isaac Marty. Vaka Motu visits Arno](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Okeanos-8-18.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
ISAAC MARTY The first service to the outer islands for the Okeanos Foundation’s Vaka Motu started last week with a visit to Arno. It departed Uliga Dock Thursday evening and arrived Arno the next morning. School supplies, medical supplies, and few passengers were delivered successfully to Malel Island. Some things were taken to Ul en […]
By Journal on April 20, 2017
Abija Lometo, Alson Kelen, canoes in the marshall islands, Hilary Hosia, Johnson Anwel, Maston John, Ralles Anwel, Sealend Laiden, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
News Archive
![WAM trainees Abija Lometo, Johnson Anwel, Ralles Anwel, Sealend Laiden, and Maston John (bottom) create the RMI seal for the RMI Cabinet in the canoe program’s workshop. Photo: Hilary Hosia. WAM develop youth skills](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/WAM421.jpg?resize=750%2C350&ssl=1)
Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) is bubbling with activities with two training programs for young people ongoing at one time. In years past, WAM sponsored one six-month life skills and vocational training program centered around canoe building and carpentry. This year, opportunity arose to run a skills training in woodworking related […]
By Journal on November 4, 2016
Alson Kelen, graduates, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
Feature Articles
![A WAM trainee group, with WAM Director Alson Kelen (center), shown in April 2016. Photo: Karen Earnshaw. WAM graduates show success](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/fL-WAM-11-4.jpg?resize=555%2C280&ssl=1)
Marshall Islanders who graduate from the Waan Aelon in Majel canoe building and life skills training program have a high rate of success, according to statistics provided by the program. Nearly four out of five from last year’s training are either employed, in school or returned to an outer island. Data on graduates from the […]
By Journal on October 21, 2016
Allison Nashion, Alson Kelen, Carlos Domnick, GEF program, Hirobo Obeketang, Tamie Bowman, Waan Aelon in Majel, WAM
Feature Articles
![Graduates from Waan Aelon in Majel training were honored recently by National Training Council Director Allison Nashion and WAM Director Alson Kelen (to the left of the grads) and NTC Board Chairman Carlos Domnick and Marshall Islands Resort General Manager Hirobo Obeketang (at right). WAM graduates shine](https://i0.wp.com/marshallislandsjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/F-Lg-WAM-10-21-1.jpg?resize=555%2C280&ssl=1)
After weeks of stormy skies, the sun came out and shined on the Vocational and Lifeskills 2016 Trainee Graduation. About 120 attended the Waan Aelon in Majel event, which saw 14 young men and four young women receive their certificates for successfully completing the WAM program. The Class of 2016 all wore T-shirts they designed […]