[People of Oceania]   [Community Support]   [Community Assistance]

Outreach Trips: Conversing with the Yap Community Face to Face
Face to face communication is still the most respected and effective form of communication in Yapese culture. Because of this we have maintained our connection with the community by traveling to and living in the communities of Yap. We are fortunate how successful our two most recent visits have been.

In June of 2005 we sent Max Yarawamai, a member of our board to initiate our efforts to rebuild the Fatharai dispensary. He was able to achieve the 7 goals of the trip:

1. Cultivate community ownership of the project
2. Collaborate with the Yap State Health Department
3. Design the new dispensary based on community input.
4. Identify what tools, supplies will be needed and how to obtain them.
5. Encourage community construction of the dispensary.
6. Foresee challenges that will arise in construction a dispensary on an isolated island community.
7. Create a culturally appropriate structure for dispensing health in the community.

The second trip in July 2005 by Dr. Thane Hancock allowed for presentation of a revised dispensary design that incorporated the changes suggested by the community, Yap State Health Department and Ulithi health providers. Fortunately all the suggestions fit well into the design. During the trip the Yap Community Health Board was finalized and held its inaugural meeting. In addition, the Life Support in Obstetrics course was provided by Dr. Hancock to the medical and midwifery staff of Yap.