By: Samantha Iyar
IBOBANG, Palau — The Belau Modekngei School celebrated the official handover of the “Strengthening Community Resilience and Food Security” project on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in efforts to bolster food security and community resilience following Typhoon Surigae.
The event, held yesterday, November 21, at Modekngei High School, brought together representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bureau of Agriculture, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Speeches highlighted the collaborative effort’s successes and its potential for replication across other communities.
“This project is the embodiment of USAID’s commitment to listening, partnering, and delivering,” said Paula Miller, USAID’s country representative for Palau. “This is a community that is not only surviving but thriving.” She emphasized the project’s impact in fostering sustainable farming practices and community engagement, noting her excitement to tour the newly established facilities.
Kashgar Rengulbai, acting director of the Bureau of Agriculture, noted the initiative’s importance as a pilot project. “This strengthens the ministry’s stance on food security: our food is our responsibility,” he said. Rengulbai also assured the community of ongoing support, emphasizing the bureau’s readiness to assist schools and communities year-round.
For Belau Modekngei School Principal Nancy Renguul, the project’s establishment of a chicken farm fulfilled a long-held aspiration. “On behalf of our school, I applaud USAID for this opportunity,” Nancy Renguul, Belau Modekngei School Principal, said the establishment of a chicken farm fulfilled a long-held aspiration. She highlighted the integration of academic and vocational training, with plans to use chicken manure to enhance vegetable gardening, aligning with the project’s sustainability goals.
Yumi, representing IOM, reflected on the project’s blend of indigenous knowledge and modern agricultural practices. “We are not just teaching farming; we are building resilience,” Yumi said. She emphasized that the project equips students with practical skills in agriculture and livestock management, empowering the community to sustain itself. “Its success will depend on your care, creativity, and collaboration,” she added.
The event concluded with optimism as speakers reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing the gardens and facilities developed through the initiative. The collaboration was hailed as a foundation for a more food-secure and resilient future for Palau, with plans of expanding similar efforts to outlying states like Kayangel and Peleliu.