Omung (bloom), a non-government organization of women who share a love and interest in horticulture, is lending their love of flowers and talented green thumbs to beautify the welcome sign on the hillside of the Palau International Airport.
Lorraine, an Omung member, emphasized the importance of leaving a lasting positive impression on visitors. “It is one of the first things visitors to Palau see when they arrive and also the last one they see before they leave, and we want to make it beautiful for a lasting good impression,” she stated last Friday while taking a break from the hot midday sun with other Omung members.
Over the years, various groups have undertaken repair and repainting efforts for the hillside sign, initially created by the Palau Visitors Authority. However, its condition has deteriorated notably since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to refurbishing the sign itself, Omung also focuses on enhancing the surrounding area. Julie Jiro, the organization’s president, highlighted the neglected state of the roadside adjacent to the sign, which was overrun with vegetation and littered with various forms of trash. Collaborating with the National Public Works and Palau Public Utilities Corporation, Omung members have cleared trees and removed debris to improve the area’s aesthetic appeal.
This initiative forms part of a broader grant that Omung secured from the Grameen Foundation this year. Alongside the beautification project, the grant encompasses horticulture and entrepreneurship training for Omung members and the creation of a photographic calendar and a Blossoms showcase event.
The Grameen Foundation, a global nonprofit organization, focuses on empowering women with the aim of eradicating poverty and hunger in this generation (https://grameenfoundation.org/).