We can never predict who we might cross paths with and what impact their presence might be in our lives. We are often too busy to notice the little things that matter most. A simple greeting, a helping hand, an
encouragement, or a smile without expectations.
Instead, we are surrounded by greed, bullying, intimidation, shaming, gossip, and selfishness, and the worst is, one we hear or see amongst families.
Feuds over clan titles and land ownership are dividing families and clans. It boils down to greed tied to money and status. All the while, the Klechibelau, and Klebelau are dwindling, thus a loss of the precious cultural traits of Belau.
One would think that as a small island nation, it’ll be easy to be united, but instead, there is so much controversy and division.
Palau has a wealth of ethnic diversity, which gives a bird’s eye view of many possibilities to enhance the knowledge of how to build Belau sustainably.
Learning and progress goes hand in hand. To evolve, people need to learn new skills and experiences to gain the understanding necessary to improve their livelihood. So, the notion of “us and them” must be squashed. Multicultural societies can boost progress.
Klechibelau and Klebelau are not diminished because other ethnicities are present in the community. A cultural identity can only be lost if it is not preserved through practice, documentation and teaching generations forward.
The government is top-heavy. The ratio of government offices to citizens is very high. There is no justification for the excessive number of paid leaders from OEK to the state level based on the current population count.
With a population of less than twenty thousand, the Palau National Congress has 16 House Delegate members and 13 Senators and each state has a governor and other government offices, as well as tribal leaders.
The funds regained from downsizing the disproportionate number of government offices can help the national budget and assist mandatory programs in need.
Neighboring Guam, as of 2021, had a population of about 170,534, with 15 senators representing 15 at-large districts in the Legislature. The senators serve two-year terms without a term limit.
In 1996, Guam Law changed the number of senators from 21 to only 15 senators serving in the Legislature.
I’m sure the Palau National Congress can follow that concept and amend the law to have at most 16 members of OEK under one house to represent all 16 states. That’s about $650,000 put back into the national budget just by downsizing members of OEK alone and much more if the state level is included.
A united front and zeal with knowledge of what truly matters to support the citizens and growth of Belau can be accomplished efficiently by 16 members in OEK, 16 tribal leaders, along with the Presidential Administration.
Show and tell is decades overdue. Finger pointing never resolves issues. I believe that when we do things for one another with humility and care without expectations, good and wholesome relationships will form. A relationship based on mutual respect and trust.
Lynn Bryson, the founder of OneToOneCoaching.com, once said, “Success should be measured by qualitative
standards, not quantifiable ones like dollar signs and bottom lines.”
In the Bible, Galatians 6:7-9, “A man reaps what he sows.”
Palau’s issues are widely discussed on social media and to some degree, the citizens feel that public value has fallen by the wayside. Please unite and give Palau and its citizens living on the island a chance to live a healthy and prosperous life.
So true.