House of Chamorros

Now is the opportunity to create the first public and permanent place to represent the Chamorro culture in the United States. We have the chance to establish a House of Chamorros that will educate about our Mariana Islands and the Chamorro people.

San Diego is home to more Chamorros than any other place outside of our islands. For generations our young people in San Diego have attended schools where their culture is invisible, with classmates who didn't know what "Chamorro" meant. 

Imagine a place where all San Diego school children will visit and learn that Chamorros are here. Imagine exposure to all the 14 million visitors who come to Balboa Park every year. The House of Chamorros will stand among the International Cottages in Balboa Park along side the House of Korea, House of France, House of England and amongst many other Houses.

There is no greater opportunity to bring awareness and recognition of our Chamoro culture, for our people in San Diego and for the international visitors to San Diego's Balboa Park.

But time is short!. If you can help, please help now.

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It has only been four months since the Chamorro Optimist Club of San Diego's (CHAMOCSD) inception of a project that could establish further prominence for the Chamorro Culture and people within the community of San Diego. CHAMOCSD's mission and bylaws highlight the organization's goal to "help others in our community by promoting cultural awareness through dance, music, health and food." As an affiliate of Optimist International, a national service group, CHAMOCSD pooled the resources of their collective membership to establish the House of Chamorros project, as one of several programs aligned with our mission.

On May 1, The House of Chamorros (HOC) was recognized as an associate member of the House of Pacific Relations (HPR) International Cottages at Balboa Park, having access and privileges to the historic 1400 acre park that attracts over 14 million visitors per year. Uno Hit, an affiliate program which promotes cultural education through Chamorro dance, represents our Chamorros culture at the International Cottages area, practicing and performing for all visitors to Balboa Park on many Saturdays.

To date, we have raised or recieved pledges of over $92k in donations towards the construction of the cottage. Thanks to partnerships and solicited donations, we are within range of our goal.  But we need help to raise the final $25K in the next 30 days to get on the contruction schedule.

We are turning to all advocates of culture and diversity to assist in this push to obtain the necessary construction funds.

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If you can help please do so. It isn't often in life that you have a chance to be a part of something like this that will educate so many and benefit so many.

So give a little, give alot, give something. And please remember that we are not asking for money to just build a structure. You are actually giving for the privilege of our people to be seen, heard, recognized and experienced.