Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls

Asia America Initiative thanks you for helping students wIth seeds, tools and watering cans to prepare new school gardens which will be used for school lunches.  "Supplemental vegetables and fruits provide a balanced diet for children suffering from  various levels of malnutriition," says Doctor Anissa, head of the Nursing graduate school at Mindanao State University in Jolo, Philippines. 

Students returned for the new school year in June and began to plant their new school garden in elementary and high schools. These gardens are used to provide vegetables for the communal meal they will all share, cooked by their mothers and other school volunteers. Students, teachers and other community members bonded together to clear the garden area, prepare the soil and plant new seeds. Your donation helped AAI to purchase tools needed and seeds for the gardens.

Poverty, hunger, communal violence, and limited public health plague Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. Sulu Province remains near the bottom of the UN's worldwide Human Development Index. A school-aged population of some 350,000 children are mostly impoverished and suffering from hunger. Female students are often most affected. 

AAI’s programs, also build peace by encouraging Christian and Muslim neighbors to respect and help each other, with an emphasis on daughters and grand-daughters. AAI's equal concern for all children, regardless of religion or culture serves as a mediation bridge and a vital component of social healing. "Our inter-faith activities dispel fear and biases that alienate communities who feel alone and abandoned," says AAI Sulu coordinator Tarhata.  "Positive interaction between all girls in a school community genenerates mutual respect and friendship," says principal Nuraisha of Kasambuhan Elementary. Your role is essential!

If you would like to continue your support, please click on the orange "Give Now" button. Thank you!

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website

Dear Donors,

We want to share with you good news about the students in AAI supported schools in Sulu, Philippines regarding their year-end exams. In the Philippines, the school year ends earlier at the beginning of April. AAI seeks to stabilize and enhance the communities we serve. We all know that a nourished child is much happier and relaxed during the school day.  AAI provided school lunches during testing times in order for the students to concentrate better and as an incentive to attend. Poverty, hunger, communal violence and limited public health plague Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. Sulu Province remains near the bottom of the UN's worldwide Human Development Index. A school-aged population of some 350,000 children are mostly impoverished and suffering from hunger. Female students are often most affected. It is difficult to travel to school and conditions are often unsafe. A simple meal can make all the difference for attendance and higher test grades are achieved across the board. In Sulu this spring, students of all ages did really well with their final exams. During exam week, Moms and other volunteers dutifully prepared a midday meal for the children. 

The long-term goals of AAI is to improve health and school conditions. We also build peace by empowering Christian and Muslim communities to respect and support each other, with an emphasis on daughters and grand-daughters. AAI serves as mediators and social healers. Our inter-faith activities dispel fear and biases that alienate communities who feel alone and abandoned. Positive interaction and equal treatment of all girls generate mutual respect and friendship.

Thank you for your support!

President Albert Santoli,

If you would like to make a donation to help us prepare for the coming school year beginning in June, here is the link:

Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls

Links:

• Asia America Initiative Website