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CUC’s Project WET inspires Pacific Islands
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Posted on Oct 23 2000
Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and Office of Insular Affairs Director Ferdinand Aranza have worked together to create a grant administered by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
The community utility began in 1986 a water education program called project WET, or Water Education for Teachers.
Northern Marianas WET has reached over 4,000 kids on Saipan, Rota and Tinian. Nearly 98 percent of the CNMI teachers have been trained, with programs continuing for newly arrived educators.
Based on the success of public awareness, conservation efforts, and improvement maintenance, the CUC island-style program is being used as a model program for the insular areas.
“We are thrilled to have Project WET in the Marianas, and excited that our program is now being modeled in other insular areas. The CUC Board of Directors have been trained and are so supportive of education programs with our brothers and sisters in the Pacific,” said Pamela Mathis, Project WET state coordinator and regional representative.
Since Mr. Aranza approved the Project WET Regional Program in June, three insular islands have joined WET USA: American Samoa, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Ms. Mathis was sent to Samoa to kick off the training program, along with a representative from National WET. The American Samoa Environmental Agency (ASEPA) sponsors WET there, and paid for the expenses of the training through the Interior Operations and Maintenance Improvement Program grant.
“I’m working with agencies on Guam and Pohnpei, Kosrae and Yap right now to get them involved,” said Ms. Mathis. “Now that American Samoa is trained and has its own state coordinator, we’re looking to train educators and government workers in Palau and Majuro next.”
Water Education for Teachers is based at Montana State University. The community utility joined WET USA in 1996 to create better understanding, stewardship and awareness about precious islands resources. The program trains a network facilitators and they train CNMI educators. WET provides classroom-ready materials for teachers to use with students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
