Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls

During a pandemic-driven year of home study, Asia America Initiative has continued to assist the heath and hygiene needs in at least 30 schools in the Sulu archipelago of islands to prepare for return to classroom learning. In at least 30 schools we have contributed to the construction of wash stations. With funds from GlobalGiving donors, we have supported deep wells  constructed by school staff and families of elementary school pupils. AAI purchases essential materials and coordinates building and rennovations with volunteer support by local community members. 

The Philippines remains a leading location of COVID19 cases in Asia, including new strains of the virus. At this time, it is especially important for children to have access to clean water and soap. We have a long history in the remote communities in Sulu archipelago in advocating for hygiene. Our programs include handwashing, teeth brushing, clean water for drinking, preparing school lunches, and wateri for fruit and vegetable gardens. AAI has provided many large and small water tanks to schools and hundreds of five-gallon water containers that are used by refugees and other homeless families during a crisis. 

Poverty, hunger, rampant waterborne diseases, and limited public health plague the Philippines. Sulu Province remains near the bottom of the UN's worldwide Human Development Index. A school-aged population of some 350,000 children -- more than half are girls -- suffer from malnutrition and hunger.  Worldwide, female students are most affected in similar schools. The best place for children in these communities to learn and prepare for the future is at school. With proper protocols and handwashing stations, we are hopeful that children can resume their education in classrooms where they all deeop their social habits.

Our inter-cultural programs, also build peace by encouraging Christian and Muslim neighbors to respect and help each other. We place an emphasis on daughters and grand-daughters, but we do not forget to include boys. AAI's programs support the efforts of community mediators and social healers. Our inter-faith activities dispel fear and biases that alienate communities who feel alone and abandoned. We emphasize the roles of females, who have undeniable talent and skills.  Positive interaction and equal treatment of all children and their parents generates mutual respect and friendship. We welcome all of our previous donors to remain involved by continuing your generous support of our programs.

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website

AAI has always been an advocate for the good health and well-being of the thousands of students in our rural elementary and high schools throughout the Philippines. We emphasize clean water and hygiene, especially in impoverished mostly-rural communities. During this difficult year of the Covid19 pandemic, our emphasis is to prioritize group and individual anti-virus protection in our schools, especially for teachers and pupils.

Poverty, hunger, communal violence, and limited public health plague Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. In the Sulu Province archipelago of more than 150 islands, a school-aged population of some 350,000 children are mostly impoverished and suffering from hunger. Female students are often most affected. We have provided resources to assist three schools with a total of 500 girls and an equal number of boys. Our focus is to build clean water systems and WASH facilities. This is to assure adequate hygiene and nutrition for improved health and education.

At Mukammali Elementary, we worked with school parents, who are carpenters, to construct a beautiful new water system and WASH station. "Despite the lockdown in Sulu," says the Principal of Mukammali Elementary, "we started on October 16 to build a handwashing facility. Thanks to AAI's donor family and our volunteer craftsmen who are PTA parents, the handwash station was completed within one month.”

"We are so blessed to have you and AAI donors as our partners. I could purchase a large water tank and other basic needs of our handwashing facilities. It was a wonderful blessing. Thanks again!"

During the coming weeks, our AAI field team will continue our community-based WASH program in Sulu and other areas of the Philippines. We intend to purchase the materials needed for handwash stations in at least 6 additional schools. The target is for the 6 systems at a total cost of $3,600 to be completed by the time school is scheduled to begin on-site classes in mid-January 2021.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have helped. We have succeeded in providing enhanced health for more than 1,000 children cared for in this program during the past three months.

Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, December 1. If you would like to continue to support this program, your contribution will receive a match from GlobalGiving if made before midnight. Click the link below:

Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls

Wishing you peace in the coming year,  

Albert Santoli

President, Asia America Initiative

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website