Hope on Wheels brings internet lifeline to powerless villages after Sinlaku

More than a month after Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered Saipan, a coalition of churches and community partners is bringing free Wi-Fi access, charging stations, and printing services directly to villages still struggling with power outages and internet blackouts through a mobile outreach called “Hope on Wheels.”

Led by Life in the Son Christian Fellowship, the outreach was in Kagman 2 last May 18, and is expanding to Puerto Rico, Finasisu, Garapan, and Dandan the rest of the week, targeting areas where residents continue to face limited connectivity and access to electricity.

LITS pastor Eric Abragan said the idea grew after seeing another church member, Derek Cutting, run a free charging station from his home in Kagman in the weeks following the typhoon.

“This started as a vision that we had, but at the same time, we had a friend also that goes to our church, Derek. He started this free charging station in Kagman,” Abragan said. “So it’s been running for 26 days since the typhoon. So that stirred us up to see a more wider community reach, not just Kagman.”

Abragan said the group intentionally chose communities where residents still have little or no access to internet and charging opportunities.

“So we go to places where there’s no internet and very limited Wi-Fi connection or access to charging stations,” he said. “We try to give them opportunities to have this resource and services. But also for us, we don’t just want to give help, but we also want to give hope.”

The mobile setup uses generators connected to Starlink internet systems, extension cords, and wireless printing equipment to help residents charge devices and print important paperwork, including Federated Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, and other assistance forms.

“Basically, the concept is Hope on Wheels,” Abragan said. “With a generator, you connect also a Starlink for internet connection. And then at the other end, you connect a wireless printing device and you can print wirelessly for the FEMA forms, others printed from the Philippines forms, COFA and others, even Red Cross.”

Abragan said the outreach has revealed that many families across Saipan continue to struggle weeks after the storm.

“Just a month after the typhoon, we still see the same need that’s around the island,” he said. “We’ve been to the north side over the weekend and we still see the same need. And the past week, we went to the south side and it’s the same need.”

Several churches and organizations have partnered in the effort, including Samaritan’s Purse, Grace Christian Academy San Antonio, Church of the Nazarene, Jesus Is Lord Saipan, and Cornerstone Church. Some operate stationary internet hubs in their own villages, while Life in the Son runs its mobile operation throughout the island.

“We call them Signal of Hope,” Abragan said. “Us, we call it Hope on Wheels because we’re mobile.”

Children in Kagman 2 also welcomed the arrival of internet and charging access in their neighborhood.

“It’s very helpful because my phone was actually 12% before this,” said Jose, one of the youths using the service. “And I think it’s very good because other people also have power.”

Jose said his home has remained without electricity since the typhoon struck.

“There’s no power at my house… ever since Sinlaku,” he said.

Another child, Carmoni, said the outreach gives residents a chance to reconnect after weeks of isolation.

“I wish the best for everybody so they can charge their phones,” he said.