Change people's lives at home and around the world
December 2018
Kiribati is an island nation in the Pacific that is afflicted with limited arable land, irregular rainfall, and rising tides that destroy crops. Without fresh produce, Kiribati residents rely on imported, processed foods, which has led to many health problems.
At BYU–Hawaii, Eritai discovered a solution to his country’s crisis: hydroponics, a method of growing plants in water instead of soil. Under the mentorship of sustainability director Les Harper, Eritai spent hundreds of hours developing a system that would enable families to grow nutritious food for themselves and sell the surplus through a cooperative.
A year after returning home and implementing his system, Eritai was named a Young Champion of the Earth by the United Nations for improving human health and resilience to climate change. Eritai plans to use UN-awarded funds to build 200 hydroponic units, sell them through microfinancing, and use the proceeds to continually scale his project. “He is literally saving his island nation,” says Harper.
Because of you Eritai’s efforts will bless thousands of families in Kiribati and beyond. “In 10 years, this project will be expanded throughout the islands,” says Eritai. “The life of every family in Kiribati will become healthier. I know that you have contributed a lot for me and other students to attend this wonderful university. I want to say ko rabwa, meaning ‘thank you so much,’ from the bottom of my heart.”
Kazu, a BYU-Hawaii student from Japan, struggled to learn English as a high school student. His desire to attend BYU–Hawaii motivated him to study hard, and he finished in the top of his class. Now he is enjoying opportunities he didn’t imagine were possible.
Uli, a BYU-Hawaii art student and sculptor from Tonga, says his school experience and Church callings in Laie helped him develop leadership skills that will bless him and his family.
RJ, a BYU-Hawaii IWORK student from the Philippines, went from imitating artwork from Church magazines to studying art in Paris and New York thanks to scholarships and internships.
