Marsely+U

Phase I: Who Am I? What's My Place?

Hi my name is Marsely Uruman, I was named after my grandma, my grandma's name is Marsena. I was born in December 19 1995. I was bron and raise in Chuuk. I came to Hawaii when i was about 10 years old it was in 2005. The reason why my family came to Hawaii it because my brother was sick and we needed medication for his sickness. Also my parent want there kids to have a good education. Because the education in Chuuk is not good as the one in the U.S I'm a very shy person when I'm around people I don't know. I am ashamed to speak because I don't feel comfortable. I just feel scared. But, when I'm with my family and friends I'm always the loudest one there and the silly one too. I know them very well and I'm used to them. So, I'm myself the most when I am around people I know very well. I'm also a Christian and I go to Fellowship Baptist Church. My faith affects the kinds of words I use and the kind of things I do.
 * What __really__ makes up your identity

What really makes up my sense of place is my bedroom with the music playing. I go here to calm down when I am mad. I also like to go here to be by myself. I read a book, read the Bible, or write in my journal. I feel at peace when I can get away from people and do these things. Sometimes I just need to be by myself meditate.
 * What __really__ makes up your sense of place?

Because I am shy when I am around people I don't know, when I work with others in a group project I know I need to get to know them first. I try to make sure I make an effort to talk to the people in my group so I feel more comfortable with them. Sometimes when I am working in a group and I get irritated by someone, I have to step aside and calm myself down.
 * What roles do your identity and sense of place play when you work with others in a group project?

I can be an encouraging person. If I notice that one of my group members is down, I will try to encourage him or her. I also do my share of the project and if someone needs help I will try to do something to help them. I go with the flow and try not to create problems with others in my group.
 * What are the qualities that you bring to the GLIP conversation that will help you make a contribution to your global group?

One problem that I feel needs to be addressed is the drug problem because so many teenagers now take drugs and some are dying fast. The adults are giving the younger kids drugs. Also, many kids are stealing money from their parents just for drugs. The kids are also going out into the streets or their neighborhood causing troubles to other people like fighting or trying to take away their money. One thing I could do is to encourage younger kids not to take drugs because their life might end shortly. Some of my friends take drugs and I could try to help them quit by sharing with them how the drugs can affect their lives.
 * What is one local problem (where you live) that you believe needs to be addressed? Suggest some steps could you take to try to solve it?

First of all, a person must be a good example to the others. If the person is doing the same thing then the people may say, "Why is he/she talking when he/she does the same thing?" They will not want to change. They also need to be gentle, especially in their speech because if they do not say it gently they will not do it. When people speak harshly, it usually gets the person upset and they will just continue to do what they are doing.
 * Finally, some problems have been around for a long time. What qualities do you think a person must have to step up and try to solve them?

Phase II: Sense of Place

Upload image (s) here:

This is the picture of Kailua beach which is located in Kailua, Hawaii. The reason why I picked this beach is because it represents the beauty of our hometown and our state. This is the beach that my family, friends, and I would come and spend time with each other. We swim, play beach volleyball, and picnic in the warm Hawaiian sun. Sometimes our church comes out here and babtizes people. We have fellowship there too and after we have fun.

Use these questions to help you determine which picture shows someone else why your “place” is so special to you.
 * Does a scenic picture represent the beauty you believe that your town has?
 * Does a picture of a group of people represent and show a warmth and friendliness that your town has?
 * Does a statue or building convey the feeling of history that makes your place important and unique?
 * Is there a cultural event that represents the values of your home location?

What are your initial thoughts about how your image addresses the questions above? Later, you will be working with the members of your group to create a travel package that includes visits to each group member's home location (see Phase II)

Phase III: Identify Local Issue: "Hawaii has the third-highest ratio of homeless people to residents of any state, better only than Nevada and Oregon, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Most of Hawaii's unsheltered live in Honolulu, including those who spend their days and nights on the beaches, parks and streets of Waikiki, the famed neighborhood of white sand and hotels where the APEC conference will be held."

"Part of Honolulu's homeless problem is rooted in the pairing of some of the nation's highest housing costs with below-average wages and the fact that the gorgeous year-round weather makes it easier for people to live out in the open."

"Also playing a part are new arrivals who come dreaming of a life in paradise, only to discover it's hard to find jobs that pay enough to cover the high cost of living. Some spent their savings to fly here because it's better to be homeless where the weather is so nice. Still others, particularly those from Pacific island nations, travel to Hawaii to receive critical medical care that's not available at home."

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What is your local issue? The local issue that we have in Hawaii is homelessness. Many homeless people can be seen around the island lying on the sidewalks and in the parks and on the beaches because they have no house, no job, no education.

What can you do to be address the issue? I can try to help them by giving them food, clothing, and telling them that someone is always with them wherever they go. What I mean from that is God is always with you wherever you go. We need to help out this kind of peoples because they need our help and love. By loving them we can encourage them to get a job and house.

What is the global impact of your local issue? The homelessness can stop the tourists or peoples to come to Hawaii beacause of the messiness of homeless. And if the tourists don't come to Hawaii any more then Hawaii won't have money any more.

Add these thoughts to your Group's Discussion Forum on Local Issues