Easter Island Foundation scholarships for 2015 awarded
Providing scholarships to students with Rapanui ancestry who wish to further their education is a mission objective of the Easter Island Foundation. We are thrilled, with the help of our partners and donors, to be able to award eight scholarships in 2015:
Ariki Merino Rapu (Friends of Rapa Nui Scholarship–$2000) is studying medicine at the Universidad de Chile. When he graduates, he wants to return to the island and work at the local hospital and contribute the values and knowledge he has learned from his studies at the university. He is concerned not only about health itself, but also about the health system from a cultural, political, social, and economical point of view. He believes that as a young Rapanui professional, he understands the main needs that their society has, and can work with an innovative vision and opinion to reach the sustainability that Rapanui society needs and contribute to improve the life quality of the community, while maintaining ancestral values. His interests include sports and cultural music, and he treasures the ancestral Rapanui language.
Ma'ara Teave Atam (Fraternal Order of Moai Scholarship–$2000) is studying architecture at the Pontificia Universidad Católica in Valparaíso. When she graduates, she would like to return to the island and teach sustainable construction by recycling and reutilizing elements now considered trash. Her dream is to renovate a zone on Rapa Nui called Hanga Hemú, which is now being excavated for basalt rock by MOP (Ministry of Public Works) and CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal). Her future vision includes the creation and launching of a sustainable fish production system using natural methods and incorporating her study of architecture. As an indigenous Rapanui, she sees the development of her community primarily from the point of view of welfare, not just the growth of tourism business or development of sports and culture-related activities. She believes that as professionals of the future, the younger generation should assist with sustainable development to help their community.
Americo Loyola Edmunds (EIF Director's Scholarship–$2000) is studying agriculture and livestock technology at the Instituto Profesional Santo Tomas in Viña del Mar. When he graduates, he would like to return to the island and start a greenhouse project to grow and harvest fresh vegetables year-round to maintain a balance of the cost of fresh produce. He feels that one of the most challenging problems facing Rapa Nui today is the lack of fresh water, and as far as growing food, proposes to build small reservoirs adjacent to growing areas to maintain a water supply nearby.
Francisca Martinez Pakarati (The Mana Scholarship for Environmental Studies, supported in 2015 by Pacific Aid Australia and funds raised through Susie Stephen's "Retracing Routledge" Expedition–$2000) is studying environmental engineering at the Instituto Profesional DUOC UC in Valparaíso. Her goal is to improve local knowledge using new technologies. She would like to participate in multidisciplinary teams with local institutions, adapting technical knowledge to the special conditions of Rapa Nui. Her future projects will focus on recycling, seawater pollution, and teaching the island's children how to care for their environment. She believes the greatest challenge to Rapa Nui today is to develop a sustainable tourism industry, because tourism is the most important economic resource. The number of visitors is unbalanced with the local resources, and for that reason, environmental impacts are greater than the internal capacity of the island. Francisca believes the key to this problem is education.
Oscar Jara Pakomio (Fraternal Order of Moai Tangata Manu Scholarship–$2000) is studying physical education and health at Pontificia Universidad Católica in Valparaíso. He chose the career of education because he loves sports, [End Page 78] physical activity, and activities in nature. When he graduates, he wants to return to the island and work towards the creation of recreational activity venues to encourage healthy and active lifestyles to help lessen the effects of obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and diabetes. Oscar sees a need for better education of the Rapanui people, and hopes that those who study abroad will return to Rapa Nui to work in their chosen careers. His greatest desire and ambition is to motivate people of Easter Island to choose an active lifestyle and healthy life, practicing a variety of conventional and emerging sports, and to educate the Rapanui people about the benefits these activities provide for health to all generations, thus avoiding various cardiovascular diseases characteristic of the 21st century that affect the people of the island, such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity, among others.
Ghislaine Tepano Tepano (Fraternal Order of Moai Ohana Scholarship for $1000 and Sheree Lipton/Ananda Foundation Scholarship for $1000) is studying commercial engineering and finance at the Universidad Andrés Bello in Santiago. After she graduates, she would like to start her own eco-friendly and sustainable company on Rapa Nui, with the goal of helping to preserve Rapanui culture.
Jose Calderon Fati (Fraternal Order of Moai Tangata Manu Scholarship–$2000) is studying environment and natural resources at Universidad Católica del Norte in Antofagasta. Jose is keen to find solutions to the environmental problems that have arisen on the island in recent years due to the increase of the population. He has several long-term projects that he would like to accomplish. These include working with CONAF (Corporación Nacional Forestal) to solve the problem of land erosion; working with SEREMI (Secretario Regional Ministerial) to solve the emerging problem of groundwater contamination; unifying recycling jobs within the municipality to be able to transport waste back to the mainland for reuse; creating a culture of recycling and environmental care in homes using local media such as television and radio; initiating projects that promote clean energy generation; and working on the creation of a marine park in the waters of Rapa Nui that promotes a sustainable ecosystem. During the past year, Jose had the opportunity to work with children in schools with limited resources to teach them about entrepreneurship and provide a vision for them for future projects.
Pechquinco Paola Passalaqua Hucke (Rosita and Nicolas Haoa Haoa Scholarship–$2000) is studying education at Universidad Católica de Temuco. When she graduates, she plans to return to the island and work as a teacher to help anyone who wishes to learn in any context, including adults who want to complete their primary or secondary education. Paola believes in educating children so that they have solid tools to deal with life and to contribute to society and she feels that children should learn about and be proud of their ethnic background.
We thank all our donors and partners who have contributed to our successful scholarship award program, especially the Fraternal Order of Moai, Pacific Aid Australia / Retracing Routledge, Friends of Rapa Nui, and the Ananda Foundation. Since our program began in 2002, we have awarded $134,000 in scholarships. To make a donation to the scholarship program, please contact the EIF office or download a donation from islandheritage.org.
Easter Island: The Essential Guide The Easter Island Foundation is pleased to announce the publication of its new 2015 guidebook, Easter Island: The Essential Guide, by Kay Kenady Sanger (ISBN 978-1-880636-30-5). This updated book replaces our sold-out first edition with new information to help visitors find their way around the island. Readers will find the latest in archaeological research and suggestions for restaurants, recreation and accommodations. Color photographs and detailed maps enhance the informative text. Easter Island: The Essential Guide is a must for visitors who want to understand the island's intriguing history and enjoy its contemporary culture. All proceeds help support the Easter Island Foundation, including our scholarship program for university students of Rapanui ancestry. The guidebook sells for $22 and is available from The Easter Island Foundation, www.islandheritage.org [End Page 79]
