According to the president of NBAKA, Dilmai Saiske, the association aims to actively participate in activities that not only help support and assist the people of Ngarchelong State but also promote awareness of the significance of preserving and protecting the environment and the traditional cultural sites of the states.
“We try, as much as we can, to be a part of any activity that is geared towards enhancing the lives of the people of Ngarchelong State,” she said. “In addition, we have, for the past 5 years initiated fundraisers and sponsored fishing derbies, trash-a-thons, and other activities that uphold our principal purpose ‘to engage in the promotion of all necessary activities to serve and support the needs and interests of the people of Ngarchelong State.’”
NBAKA is a non-profit community organization that is comprised of young to middle-aged women from Ngarchelong State. The association is a registered non-profit organization. It received its charter on April 09, 2004 and since then has been very active in many activities in and out of the state.
According to Saiske, NBAKA has solicited for funds and applied for grants to implement most of its projects. The recent grant that association has received from U&CF will be used to clear the Euatel of plant succession and to restore it as much as possible to its original state.
“We are very grateful for the funding from U&CF and the support we have been accorded from the people of Ngarchelong State,” she said. “We will make every effort to continue to assist the people of Ngarchelong and give support to the state government.”
The Euatel that NBAKA has proposed to restore is a registered historical site of Ngarchelong State. It served as a protective wall against warring canoes prior to the German occupation of Palau. It is one of the most visited sites of the state.
Saiske said the NBAKA will be consulting with the traditional leaders of the state, the office of the governor, and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs before proceeding to implement the restoration project.
“We definitely have to get affirmation and blessing from the traditional leaders of the state and the governor for assurances that NBAKA does not infringe on or disrespect set protocols,” she said. “We will be consulting with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for its personnel expertise on historical matters related to this project.”
Saiske further added she is grateful for the U&CF’s acknowledgement of NBAKA’s efforts and for funding the associations proposed projects.
