Insights
Life as we know it
Would you recognize it if you saw it ?
The Covid 19 pandemic has exacerbated already existing stressors — from work to health to life . We can all share staggering 2020 tidbits . And , we ’ ll believe it because we lived it . There will come a time when we will laugh as we remember . But for now , the tears still glisten . The stress still bubbles . The worry still consumes us .
Grocery shopping became the only outlet for many of us . Sadly , the comfort of familiarity turned into alien time zones as lines of spaced masks ensured we stayed 6 feet apart . Everything zapped us . Don ’ t touch , focus , find what you need , get it , wait , pay and go . Hurry to leave .
So a couple of weeks ago , I was startled when hope streamed in . It seems that lowered CAR scores and vaccination availability is lowering the island ’ s blood pressure . Actually feeling the difference caught me off guard .
At Mangilao Payless , Brian takes care of the meat section which is always clean , organized and plentiful . He does a superb job . This day , as he helped me locate ground chicken , By Aline Yamashita eye contact returned . His smile beamed through his mask . It was always there but that day , I allowed myself to receive it . My energy was refreshed . As I moved toward the cashier , someone greeted me by name – with a note of happiness ! Oh , my . Life is revitalized .
I left with a lighter step .
While life may never be like 2019 , it is so wonderful that essential aspects are being revived .
Being my dad ’ s daughter , I love watching TV . I just do . No apologies either . When Magnum PI returned , I cheered ! It was an actual TV production – not a zoom production . The show is funny and enjoyable where a team of people like working together . Filmed in Hawaii , the sights and sounds rekindle my joy for ohana . The return of shows gives hope and love . SYM Dr . Shieh for sponsoring Hawaii Five-0 then , and Magnum PI now .
Reading a class chat , the family photo of Paula Montinola Blas caught my attention . Happiness and beauty radiat-
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Yes & Know
ed from her and Bob to their children and grandchildren . Smiles were wide as love resonated . You can ’ t help but smile back . Simply lovely .
For the last two years , I had the privilege of being an evaluator for Spark , a grant awarded to West Care that focuses on reviving and strengthening the health and happiness of couples . With the leadership of Aja Ramos , 349 couples believed their communication skills , coping skills , financial management skills and parenting skills improved . Even under the cloud of the pandemic , classes continued . Job support and case management succeeded . Aja and her team , Jen , Millie , Clarissa , Regina and others provide the promise of Guam ’ s ability to succeed , to rejuvenate through trying times . They represent the genius of Guam and it is reassuring to know that today ’ s leaders are smart , capable , caring , hard-workers and culturally competent .
One day , Za I discovered Leo in the Morning on The Shark . His program fills the air waves with the music of the seventies — a decade of great memories . I smile and sing and smile and sing some more . Life is refreshed through Leo ’ s light banter and incredible music selection . TY !
Yes & Know was first printed 2016- 2018 . Without question , Mar-Vic welcomed me back . Being wanted rejuvenates the soul . Goodness , faith and hard work are a part of Mar-Vic ’ s DNA . It is no surprise that Mar-Vic ’ s brainchild , the Pacific Island Times , is celebrating its 5th year . Bravo !
Yes , there is much recovery to be made throughout our island and throughout the world . Yes , there is much catch-up work to be done in classrooms and at businesses . But , know that as Guam succeeds , nuggets of hope and love will usher in that progress . Realize your nuggets as we remember that because Guam ’ s people are the best , the best is yet to come . We pray .
Aline Yamashita is a mom , a teacher and former senator . She served in the 31st and 32 Guam Legislatures . You may write to her at aline4families @ gmail . com .
Last month was National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month . The trouble is , what does human trafficking look like ? Most people think of pimps trafficking young women for sex on street corners , or construction or factory workers forced to work long hours for little or no pay . But it is not always easy — in fact it can be very difficult — to spot a victim of this form of modern slavery .
Law enforcement officials tell us that traffickers prey on the vulnerable among us : people who are poor , uneducated , or who are hooked on drugs , runaways , or people who are desperate in some way . Worst of all , they prey on children .
The Polaris Project , which runs the national human trafficking hotline , reports that traffickers lure child sex trafficking victims via text now more than in person . Yep . They can get to your child through her or his phone , or through one of their social media outlets . They just start a conversation and it goes from there : “ You are so pretty . You should be a model . I ’ m a photographer …”
The experts say to look for these signs that a young person may be being trafficked : physical abuse such as burn marks , bruises or cuts ; unexplained absences from class or overly tired in class ; sexualized behavior ( especially in younger children ); being withdrawn , depressed , distracted or checked out ; suddenly bragging about making or having lots of money ; less appropriately dressed than before or new expensive clothes , accessories or shoes ; a new tattoo ( tattoos are often used by pimps as a way to brand victims ); an older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle ; or talking about wild parties or inviting other students to parties .
The non-profit organization DoSomething . org reports that in 2018 , over half the criminal human trafficking cases active in the U . S . were sex trafficking cases involving only children .
Signs that an adult is being trafficked can range from someone who is never left alone , to someone who is not allowed to speak for herself or himself , someone whose passport has been taken from them , someone not allowed to come or go as they please ; or a workplace where you never see the workers leave . Trafficking can happen in a karaoke bar , as was the case with Blue House karaoke lounge that also operated as a brothel some years ago on Guam . But it can also happen out of a home in your neighborhood , right under your nose .
We really don ’ t know how many cases are out there . We do know that where there is prostitution and drug abuse , there is the potential for trafficking . Trafficking can also happen where foreign workers are used on construction projects . Guam , like many places , checks all three boxes
I am a member of Guam ’ s Human Trafficking Task Force , led by the Office of the Attorney General . Last month the task force launched a “ Stop the Evil ” campaign , to bring about awareness of the crime of human trafficking — either for labor or for sex — on Guam .
The public service announcements generated for this campaign tell us that sex trafficking can happen in bars , hotels , and even in home — someone being forced to babysit , or clean house , and never allowed to leave or have a day off .
The main thing to do is be observant . If something doesn ’ t look right , it probably isn ’ t . If you suspect that someone is being trafficked for either labor or sex , it is important to tell someone . Call 475-0400 . That ’ s the Marianas Regional Fusion Center . They will channel the call to the proper authorities . Your doing so might save someone ’ s life .
Jayne Flores is the director of the Bureau of Women ’ s Affairs and a longtime journalist . Contact her at jayneflores59 @ gmail . com .