Local Needs
outer islands of micronesia
Most states in the FSM are comprised of tiny coral islands scattered hundreds and thousands of miles from the main commercial centers where hospitals, airports, libraries, and other resources are available. Commonly known as “outer islands,” these remote islands have very little contact with the outside world except for the occasional government-run boat that comes twice a year. A select few outer islands may have a small airfield built by the government to support those groups of islands.
The largest number of these outer islands are located in the State of Chuuk. Given their remote locations, we are focusing our efforts on three of the most impoverished groups of islands in the Northwest region of Chuuk State in Micronesia. They include the
Pattiw Atolls
* Houk Island
* Pollap Island
* Polowat Island
* Tamatam Island
Namonweito Atolls
* Onoun Island
* Piherarh Island
* Makur Island
* Onou Island
* Unanu Island
Pafeng Atolls
* Ruo Island
* Murilo Island
* Nomwin Island
* Fananu Island
Poverty in the outer islands
signs of the changing times
People living in the hundreds of outer islands have very little access to the educational, health care, and economic development opportunities which are concentrated in the main commercial centers. Outer islanders have to travel hundreds of miles over open water on government-operated cargo ships to seek help and attend high schools. On the main islands, the outer island communities live with relatives in very poor conditions. Their strong familial ties enable them to thrive amidst the poverty.
Access to basic services is a real problem for the outer islanders. Most of the outer islands only have elementary schools. Children leave their families at a young age to live with relatives in the main centers to attend public high schools. A few outer island students are lucky enough to receive private and state scholarships to attend private schools; most can’t afford it. The distance makes it virtually inaccessible to basic health care services and economic development opportunities.
Other signs of poverty in the outer islands include:
* Lack of jobs
* No running water and electricity
* Large families in substandard housing in the main islands
* No health clinics