Project: SHIP – HOOPS
Type: Nonprofit
Location: Chuuk, FSM
URL: www.ship-hoops.org
This is a project that is near and dear to my heart as it supports the SHIP-HOOPS non-profit organization that was co-founded and led by the late Keitani Graham. Kei, as he was fondly called, a former student of mine and friend and inspiration to so many Chuukese youth was tragically taken from this world in December, 2012, not long after returning from wrestling in the London Olympics representing the FSM. He was the CEO for the SHIP – HOOPS organization based on Weno, Chuuk. The nonprofit organization was founded in 1989 to serve the children and youth of Chuuk State in the Federated States of Micronesia. I was honored to be asked by Kei’s dad, Clark, to help redesign their website.
From the website:
“Our name, SHIP-HOOPS, is derived from two mission-drive purposes. The first, SHIP, is an acronym for the “Society for Historic Investigation and Preservation.” One of our founding purposes is promoting historic preservation, environmental protection, preserving cultural and historic knowledge to foster pride in the past as a bridge to the future. We use our historic and cultural roots to guide the SHIP-HOOPS educational program and the Akoyikoyi School with a heavy emphasis on literacy to empower young people to live healthy, productive, and satisfying lives.
HOOPS designates our second purpose, “Helping Ourselves: Outreach Programs in Sports.” We offer sports programs and healthy lifestyle education to Chuukese youth. Currently, our sports program includes:
