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Health

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Raising Awareness: Living Islands’ SuperFund Site PSA

In the serene backdrop of Cathedral Park, Portland, Oregon, the Living Islands team embarked on a crucial mission: filming a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about the Superfund Site. This initiative is more than just a filming project; it’s a vital step towards raising awareness and driving education about environmental issues that significantly impact our Pacific Islander Communities. The majestic St. John Bridge towering above us served as a poignant reminder of the intertwining of natural beauty and our environmental challenges. Our focus was to shed light on the SuperFund Site’s complexities, highlighting how it affects our waterways, fish populations, and, consequently, the health and traditions of our communities. The presence of our team, armed with cameras and a sense of purpose, transformed the park into a stage for advocacy and education.

We have invited local experts, community leaders, and environmental activists to share their insights on the Superfund Site’s implications. Their testimonies, rich with knowledge and passion, brought to the forefront the importance of community engagement in environmental issues. Through this PSA, we aim to inform and inspire our Pacific Islander communities to become active participants in environmental stewardship.

The message we are sending is clear: awareness leads to action. As we wrapped up the filming, we felt a renewed sense of commitment to our cause. This PSA is just the beginning of our journey to ensure that our communities are not just informed but also empowered to make a difference in the face of environmental challenges.

 

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Marshallese Cultural Health Forum 2023: Bridging Communities Through Cross-Cultural Education

The Marshallese Cultural Health Forum was a transformative experience, where attendees gathered to foster a deeper understanding of health needs within the Marshallese community and beyond. This unique event featured insightful presentations and distinguished speakers, providing invaluable insights into the cultural nuances that influenced healthcare practices.

The forum served as a vital platform for individuals, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to come together and engage in meaningful dialogue. Through cross-cultural education, we aimed to bridge gaps in healthcare delivery, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their cultural background, received the support they deserved.

Highlights of the event included:

Engaging Presentations: Expert speakers delved into various aspects of Marshallese culture, shedding light on traditional health practices, beliefs, and the challenges faced by the community in accessing quality healthcare.

Interactive Exhibits: Attendees immersed themselves in the rich tapestry of Marshallese culture through interactive exhibits showcasing art, music, and cuisine, providing a sensory experience that deepened their understanding of this vibrant community.

Networking Opportunities: Participants connected with like-minded individuals, healthcare professionals, and community leaders who shared a passion for improving health outcomes and promoting cultural inclusivity.

Those who attended the Marshallese Cultural Health Forum gained valuable insights that empowered them to make a positive impact on the health and well-being of Marshallese individuals, and by extension, contributed to a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system for all.

The event was a significant step towards creating a healthier, more culturally sensitive future for our communities. It was an opportunity for attendees to be part of a movement dedicated to positive change.

 

 

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Pacific Islander Voices: Hoops For Hope 2023

Bounce to a Brighter Future: Inspiring Pacific Islander Youth with Hoops for Hope

Basketball is more than just a game; it has the power to connect people and inspire dreams. In the Pacific Islander community, there are many talented individuals who did not take the traditional route to success. It is what inspired us to put on this event, to empower the youth and give them a chance to connect with elders in their community. Through this workshop, Hoops for Hope brings joy, hope, and a brighter future to the hearts of young Pacific Islanders. Let’s dive into the incredible work they do and how it guides these talented individuals forward!

Hoops for Hope: Empowering Pacific Islander Youth through Basketball Magic!

On Friday, June 23rd, 2023, Living Islands held their PI Voices: Hoops for Hope event at Parkrose Middle School. It was a remarkable initiative that used the universal language of basketball to make a positive impact on the lives of Pacific Islander youth. With their panel session, they created a safe and supportive environment for these young individuals to develop their skills, build confidence, and unlock their full potential. The passion and dedication of the community members at the Hoops for Hope event is truly remarkable, as they worked tirelessly to inspire and uplift the participants through honest discussions.

The goal of this workshop was to empower youth to see different options for their future careers. We wanted to showcase non-violent approaches to what success could look like. Success doesn’t have to mean higher education at a university, it can mean owning a business, learning a trade or even learning skills for a certification. As the speakers had open discussions and shared experiences, this event helped foster a sense of belonging and community among Pacific Islander male youth. After the session concluded, they had basketball games for the youth as well as community members to engage in. The transformative power of discussion and basketball is undeniable, as it instilled discipline, teamwork, and resilience within these young athletes.

We look forward to creating more spaces that encourages the connection between the youth and elders with the Pacific Islander community. Having discussions based on the idea of improving the quality of life for our youth is important especially for those living stateside. Living Islands is committed to supporting our communities and uplifting one another. Thank you to everyone who was apart of making this event possible, all of our youth who participated and our community members who shared their valuable experiences.

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MoU signed between RMI Health, Village Church and Living Islands

Today we hit a milestone for our Medical Trip to the Marshall Islands. We signed a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, Village Church Beaverton, and Living Islands.

This MoU will be the basis for our medical trip in October and open up for future and additional support from here in the USA to the Republic of the Marshal Islands.

A huge thank you to our hard-working partners at MOHHS and Village Church for helping us make this possible!

( Pictures by @rolandsarrazen )

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Medical Mission moving forward

This afternoon, after our meeting with OHA, Living Islands (finally) got to sit down in a meeting between the RMI Minister of Health and Village Church Beaverton. We’ve been wanting this meeting since before Covid-19 stopped our original medical trip that was supposed to have us go out in 2020.

We got to discuss logistics, expectations, and set a date (October!). Thank you to the RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services, as well as to Village Church Beaverton for wanting to support a trip like this.

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