The Health Fair, which was sponsored by the Satawal Women Association in Yap, was among the six Health Projects being awarded by the Yap Community Health Center to promote local food and increase public awareness on alcohol problems in the family and in the community.
Guest speakers at the Health Fair on Saturday discussed and identified some of the major problems which have been the cause of alcohol in the family, homes, villages and the communities.
The speakers shared with the crowd their past experiences and how they were able to free themselves from being addicted. They gave recommendations as to what direction each and everyone at the Health Fair should take to avoid those alcohol problems.
One of the speakers, John Hasmai, said: “Alcohol is still the No.1 drug of choice among our youths today. We cannot close our eyes to the reality that these people who are abusers of alcohol are sacrificing their own potential. You are all familiar with the traditional practices of how alcohol problems must be handled and addressed in our community and who should pick up those roles. We must always remember to involve our traditions when dealing with alcohol issues here because I believe we can work things out better if we blend these two together.”
The women group displayed local food at a booth that they set up on that day for people to get a taste from each of the different recipes that they prepared.
A representative of the women group also talked about the local food that day including their names and how each type should be prepared.
The Health Fair held some fun activities including free health screening by the Marbaa health center personnel who were also on site for anyone interested to check on their health.
There were copra husking and volleyball competitions between female and male teams that day. Young girls were also performing hula dances for everyone involved to enjoy their time as they wait for the next event.
