PatPedrus

I was very fortunate to join Pohnpei State Governor Stevenson A. Joseph and First Lady, Dr. Aina Garstang on a 4 hour trip to Pingelap via Caroline Islands Air. The atoll was reporting severe drought conditions with no rainfall for several months. This trip was to assess the situation and was a good start to what would later be a damage assessment to the other outer islands of Pohnpei. The Governor was well-received by the leadership and people of Pingelap. The mayor shared the Pingelap roots of Governor Joseph whose great-grandfather on his Father's side came from Pingelap. His relatives can still be found on the island.

The National Elections for the Federated States of Micronesia Congress are done. From the pool of 4-year at-large Congressmen will come the next President, Vice President, Speaker, and Vice Speaker for the next four years.

Kaselehlie Maingko, On Friday, April 29, 2022, I was surprised to chance a parade in downtown Kolonia! I heard the car horns honking, shouts of what sounded like adolescent voices on the verge of man and womanhood, and set out to investigate. Fortunate was I to be in the heart of Kolonia to witness the PICS High School Parade. Students from the municipalities of Uh, Nett, Sokehs, Kolonia, Pingelap, and Mwoakilloa were showing their love and spirit of their homes, following their ordained Kings and Queens (or in this case Mr and Ms.) of their municipalities, and having an epic time. It was good to see the spirit and passion of the students and later speak with my kids about what happened. Although my son, who actually participated in the parade, had no clue what was happening. How does that happen? For more Micronesian updates: https://www.facebook.com/Microbroadcast Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.pedrus/ To receive news from Micronesia sent to your email inbox, subscribe to my newsletter: https://micronesiandispatch.substack.com/p/news-from-across-the-region?r=7ofo&s=w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Kaselehlie Maingko, I've decided to do some walking in the morning. It's a great time of the day in Lewetik, where I don't see anyone or any cars usually. The only sound is the beautiful sound of silence with injections of birds chirping, flowing streams, and my footsteps on the pavement. In the end, I head home to my son, Norman, feeding our puppies! So cute. Who doesn't love puppies? For more Micronesian updates: https://www.facebook.com/Microbroadcast Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.pedrus/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-p...

Kaselehlie Maingko, Realized that I've shared some clips coming from home to town, but none vice versa. Here is one. Along the way, my kids and I had a little conversation that was almost like pulling teeth. It's ok, they saw their faces on the video and had a little change of heart in the end. Thanks for watching, and thanks to those who have subscribed. I hope you continue to watch, enjoy and comment on my videos as I continue to document life in Pohnpei, Micronesia. For more Micronesian updates: https://www.facebook.com/Microbroadcast Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.pedrus/

Kaselehlie Maingko, Cultural Day is a public holiday in Pohnpei, celebrated every year on the 31st of March. This year, students involved in the indigenous learning recovery program that is sponsored by Pacific Resources Education and Learning (PREL) had the honor to present their cultural exhibitions. The students are from Saladak and Awak Elementary schools in U municipality. The cultural day program included demonstrations of basket weaving, coconut husking, and grating, a narration of clans, village sections, and leadership, traditional songs, reciting the traditional titles of U, identifying the differences between common language, high-ranking language, and language reserved for the Nahnmwarki, traditional dance and sakau ceremony. For more information on the cultural day celebrations in Pohnpei, visit the Pohnpei State Government website: https://pohnpeistate.gov.fm/ Micronesian news updates: https://www.facebook.com/Microbroadcast #Pohnpei #Micronesia #Culturalday2022

Kaselehlie Maingko, Last week (March 21 - 26, 2022) was a wetter than usual week here in Pohnpei. The weather in Pohnpei is tropical. Rain comes and goes in this very green, very fertile land. Some publications have recorded 27 or 26 days out of 30 or 31 days of rain during any given month. That's a lot of rain. It's not heavy rain, though. What we experienced last week, was not usual. But, it was still not unusual. You know, what I mean? Anyways, enjoy the video. I have more videos to come of my life documented in Pohnpei. A great place to live! Micronesian News: https://www.facebook.com/Microbroadcast

Kaselehlie Maingko, Sharing my daily ride to drop off my daughter, who I spoke with on another video, at the College of Micronesia (COM). Link to video: https://youtu.be/_phMbA4NTSs We are very fortunate to have the College of Micronesia. Our youth are being educated at the college level here in our country and don't have to leave to do so. It was not always that way. Thanks, COM-FSM!! Check out their website: http://www.comfsm.fm/ Micronesian News: https://www.facebook.com/Microbroadcast