With school out for the summer, over 50 families in Chuuk will be boosting their young learners’ literacy capabilities through Tuttunap Together, a weeklong literacy camp organized by Neechuumeres. 

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Neechuumeres, a Chuukese women’s organization based in Guam, said in a news release the camp will run from July 22 through July 26 in Faichuuk. 

The camp aims to nurture students’ passion for reading and will involve students’ families and instructors to deepen that passion. 

“This initiative aims to provide resources and activities that support family and childhood development through a culturally responsive, accessible, and inclusive summer camp in Chuuk,” Neechuumeres organizers stated in a news release. 

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Tuttunnap loosely translates to “storytelling.” And it’s through stories that Neechumeres hopes to foster a desire for lifelong learning in the youth who are part of the camp. Using the Motheread/Fatheread Family Literacy program as a guide, camp staff will tailor the stories and activities for Indigenous youth in Chuuk. The project members behind Tuttunnap Together include Nedine Songeni, Angkien Rapun, Dreama Asor Rain, Jennifer Killion, and Christopher Stephen. 

“Our wonderful Motheread model has amazing stories and lesson plans that is very customizable, and we'll instead tailor that lesson plan to pair with a storyteller from each of the three islands we'll be visiting in the district and have the kids create materials to contribute to stories from the Pacific,” Songeni said.

Songeni said the team is working with the Chuuk Department of Education to register families who will take part in the camp. The education department leadership was encouraged by the program, especially considering the organizers and facilitators are Chuukese supporting fellow Chuukese in the islands.

“Although we are based in Guam, Neechuumeres is grateful for this opportunity to expand our work and contribute to the social and economic development of Chuuk state of the Federated States of Micronesia,” Neechuumeres organizers stated. “This initiative encourages capacity building, the exchange of ideas, experiences, and best practices between regional leadership and stakeholders. Ultimately, this project will strengthen our commitment to empowering families in Chuuk, the Pacific, and beyond.”

To support Tuttunnap Together, interested individuals can contact Neechuumeres organizers through email or Instagram. The organization is seeking cash or in-kind support for the summer camp. 

Through the 2024 Young Pacific Leaders Small Grants Program, which is funded by the U.S. State Department, Neechuumeres is able to launch Tuttunnap Together. Organizers also thanked the Chuuk Department of Education, Cultural Vistas, Humanities Guåhan, Pacific Islands Development Bank, Bank of Guam, FSM Telecommunications, Matson Navigation Company, and countless community partners for their hand in supporting the literacy camp. 

For more information, email neechuumeresinguam@gmail.com, follow Neechuumeres on Instagram, @neechuumeresinguam, or subscribe to get WhatsApp updates at bit.ly/nemi7ews.