KOHWA Healthy Homes Program - POHNPEI

KOHWA is piloting its Healthy Homes Program in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. This program aims to support home renovation for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to improve their living conditions. It seeks to strengthen the target populations' resilience and protection from vector borne diseases and enhance their adaptive capacity against the impacts of climate change. In Pohnpei, there are some families who truly need our help. These families are living in houses constructed with what they can salvage. The improper or unfinished constructions compromise their safety against environmental and health issues that are exacerbated by climate change.

The concept of the Healthy Homes project is inspired by William Kostka who shared his concern towards the well-being and safety of families around Micronesia who are living in unsafe homes. Mr. Kostka demonstrated his passion and leadership on this issue by helping KOHWA secure $3,000 from Global Greengrants Fund to help launch this program. Small fundraising efforts are also ongoing in Pohnpei.

As a start-up, KOHWA's initial goal is $13,000 to renovate the home of William Thomas and Relihna Tihpen.  Please view our attached video to learn more about this family and their compelling case. After this pilot, KOHWA intends to raise more funds and impact more communities. One hundred percent of donations collected will be used towards the project. KOHWA does not retain any overhead costs. 

To operationalize the program, KOHWA is seeking at least a thousand committed donors to put up $10 per month (only $0.33 a day) to help families in need to renovate their homes. To help positively impact the lives of those in need and build more resilient communities, you may choose to make the $10 monthly payment, a one time $120 annual payment, or a single payment of any amount you would like to donate. Every dollar helps!

As it grows, KOHWA anticipates partnering with other Civil Society Organizations to expand the program to the wider Micronesia region, including the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Nauru, and the Republic of Kiribati.

KOHWA is an all-volunteer organization of young passionate leaders in Pohnpei working to make a difference in their communities. They are mentored and guided by a trusted and professional Board of Advisors representing the public, non-profit, and private sectors. For more information on KOHWA please visit https://kohwa-fsm.org.