Education plays a vital role in strengthening individuals, families, and communities. In 2025, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered with local educational institutions in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, to enhance learning environments and expand access to educational resources through support for Pohnpei Island Central School (PICS) and the Pohnpei Public Library. By improving school facilities and increasing access to technology and learning materials, this humanitarian initiative is helping remove barriers to education, strengthen self-reliance, and create greater opportunities for students, educators, and community members across the island.
Together, the PICS facility improvements and the Pohnpei Public Library mobile learning initiative are expected to benefit approximately 4,000 students, teachers, and library patrons. Though the projects address different educational needs, they share a common purpose: empowering individuals through education. While the PICS project provides safer and more effective spaces for teaching and learning, the library initiative brings educational resources to more people throughout the community.
- Damaged-ceiling-panels-and-aging-infrastructure-at-Pohnpei-Island-central-School-highlighted-the-need-for-improvements-to-key-learning-and-gathering-spaces-used-daily-by-students-and-educators.
- The newly repaired ceiling at Pohnpei Island Central School reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen educational facilities and support student success across Pohnpei.
- Construction work underway at Pohnpei Island Central School helps strengthen educational facilities and create more secure, functional spaces for students and staff.
- Pohnpei Island Central School students work together to restore cafeteria tables, contributing to improvements that will benefit their fellow students and strengthen shared learning spaces.
- Students at Pohnpei Island Central School participate in table restoration efforts, gaining practical skills while helping create a more welcoming and functional environment for school activities.
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Strengthening Learning Environments at PICS
At Pohnpei Island Central School, aging facilities had begun to affect important spaces used daily by students and staff. Portions of the cafeteria and dining hall required ceiling repairs, while sections of the library needed improvements to both flooring and ceilings. Several dining tables also required restoration to ensure they could continue serving students safely.
To address these needs, the Church provided funding for lumber, roofing materials, flooring, and other construction supplies to rehabilitate key areas of the campus. These improvements will help create safer, more functional learning and gathering spaces where students can study, connect, and participate in school activities.
Expanding Access to Learning Through the Pohnpei Public Library
Beyond the classroom, access to educational resources remains essential for lifelong learning. The Pohnpei Public Library has been working to extend its services to residents living outside the main population centers, particularly those who face challenges traveling to the library in Kolonia.
To support these efforts, the Church donated Chromebook computers and RACHEL (Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning) units to help establish a mobile library program. The technology allows students and community members to access a wide range of digital educational resources, even in areas with limited internet connectivity. By bringing learning materials directly into communities, the initiative helps ensure that more individuals have opportunities to learn, explore, and develop new skills.
"Education creates opportunities, strengthens self-reliance, and helps individuals reach their full potential," said Brett Child, Guam and Micronesia Humanitarian Manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "We are grateful to partner with local schools and libraries in Pohnpei to improve learning environments and expand access to educational resources that will benefit students, families, and communities for years to come."