THE Saipan-Belau Bai Project Committee recently received a donation of more than $5,000 from the Palauan Committee Association or PCA president, Clinton Ngiraked, and several other state representatives from the Republic of Belau.
The chairman of the committee, Diego T. Benavente, said, “On behalf of the Saipan-Belau Bai Project Committee, I want to thank the PCA, as well as all the individuals, and the leaders of the state representatives for their contribution towards the Bai project.”
A Bai is a Palauan communal meeting center constructed in the traditional style.
Committee charter member Jean Sablan said, “There were delays with the Bai project such as the typhoons and then the pandemic which further delayed fundraising activities. But still, we are focused on building the Bai, (meeting house) not just for the Palauan community, but also for the people of the CNMI.”
Cathy Skilang Sablan, another committee member, stated, “The Bai project began several years ago to nurture a better understanding of the Palauan islands’ culture and language. We are about halfway to our goal of raising enough funds to finally start building the Bai” on Saipan.
To date the community has raised more than $100,000 through fundraising efforts and community donations. The goal is to reach $200,000 to cover the cost of the construction project.
Clinton Ngiraked, in red shirt, president of the Palau Community Association or PCA, presents a monetary donation to the Saipan-Belau Bai Project Committee.
