Despite Super Typhoon Yutu\u2019s destruction in the CNMI, the three-phase 2018 Holiday Fair saw over 1,000 children participating, with peak participation in Koblerville.<\/p>\n
Governor\u2019s Office Youth Affairs special assistant Shelane Borja told Saipan Tribune over the weekend that at least 1,100 children participated in the three-day 2018 Holiday Fair in Kagman, Koblerville, and Chalan Kanoa.<\/p>\n
She noted that Kagman had about 300 participants, while Chalan Kanoa had 204. She noted that at least 600 children participated in Koblerville, which was highly unexpected due to the destruction of Super Typhoon Yutu. Participants, according to Borja, were counted through a gifting system that required participants to obtain signatures from each booth in exchange for a gift.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are just glad the community came out. \u2026We got [some] participation from Garapan and other villages,\u201d she said, emphasizing the struggle to set up a fair in all of the villages.<\/p>\n
Without focusing on the obvious dip in participants, Borja noted that their goal was not to rake in a lot of participants but rather to \u201csupport\u201d families through the holiday season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of reasons why [some villages saw dips in participation],\u201d she said. \u201cWe are just here to support them and make [residents] feel the holiday spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the first time in its history, the Holiday Fair, according to Borja, was split into three separate dates and venues, with Kagman kicking off first on Dec. 15 at the Kagman Community Center from 6pm to 9pm. The fair continued on Dec. 20 in Koblerville, and on Dec. 22 in Chalan Kanoa at their respective community centers from 6pm to 9pm as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a lot of children around the neighborhood that we saw,\u201d she said, referring to Chalan Kanoa\u2019s turn to host the fair. \u201cWe saw a lot of youth around Chalan Kanoa come out that we have not seen since the typhoon,\u201d Borja said.<\/p>\n
As for Tinian and Rota, Borja declined to state a specific date and type of celebration for the holiday season but noted that one is currently being eyed before the New Year.<\/p>\n
Exhibitors during the Chalan Kanoa Holiday Fair included the Lady Diann Torres Foundation, which featured a whole tent committed toward donating away clothes, toiletries, and other hygiene products; Division of Youth Services; Community Guidance Center; the Garrett Lee Smith Program; Grace Christian Academy; Commonwealth Office on Transit Authority; Department of Commerce; Marianas High School Interact Club; and more participants in the fair at Chalan Kanoa. Borja noted that there were about 11 booths set up.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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