Catching octopuses, growing food, building a dog house and learning finances were some of the life skills demonstrated during free workshops at Hågat Sagan Bisita on Saturday.

The life skills workshop focused on three main categories: food independence to live sustainably off the land; health and wellbeing; and personal development.

Team 27 – made up of members of government agencies and the private sector who attended the Dan Dorr Advanced Leadership Seminar – delivered skills workshops intended to benefit island residents.

“This cohort really wanted to give back to the community something that people could build on. It all comes down to the individual and how they can support their home, village and community,” said Christine Camacho Fejeran, head of the land resources and forestry division of the department of l farming in Guam.

The Guam Department of Agriculture had representatives to discuss hunting and food growing safety. Guam Animals in Need showed attendees how to build a doghouse out of pallets and highlighted the need for pets to be microchipped. Fishermen taught children how to cast and fix a talaya and catch octopus.

“It also kicks off Earth Month. We connect people to land, water, community and self-development,” Fejeran said.

The Bank of Guam presented tips to help residents gain financial literacy and make purchases by debit or credit. The Public Health and Social Services Department spoke about sexual health and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

“We came here today to make sure the community is aware of our free testing services that are offered to public health at the Northern Region Community Health Center,” said Centers for Disease Control associate Maura Dahl. and Prevention.

Norllan Javier, 20, of Yigo, attended the workshops to earn extra credit for an environmental biology course at Guam Community College. Javier was more interested in the presentations that revolved around plants and how to harvest them.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the environment and the different ways to preserve it,” he said.

Ledwynn San Nicolas, 40, from Chalan-Pago-Ordot, attended the event with three of her daughters and said the workshops were helpful for her children.

Pacific Daily News reporter Jackson Stephens covers poverty as a member of the Report for America corps. You can reach him at

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