Gender Equality Philippines Project #26790

Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls

by Asia America Initiative

Project Report | May 8, 2018
Mothers & Teachers Unite to Feed Hungry Children

By Albert Santoli | Project Leader

Teachers and Moms at Mukammali Elementary School

Mother's Day 2018 is a special time for the children in the 18 elementary schools of Indanan South School District in Sulu Province of the Muslim Autonomous Region in the Philippines. The 100 islands of Sulu form a maritime bridge between north and south Asia, the Muslim cultures of Indonesia, and the Middle East, as well as a historic connection to the West. The region remains near the bottom of the UN's worldwide Human Development Index. A school-aged population of some 350,000 children -- more than half girls -- are impoverished and suffering from malnutrition, unclean water and communal violence. We refuse to permit these children to suffer life's sometimes-cruel consequences in today's chaotic world. With sparse government funding, thanks to their hard working mothers and many unselfish and courageous teachers, we are proving that local communities can transform their lives.

With support from Global Giving donors we have helped to bring more than 500 Muslim girls and an equal number of boys out of hunger. Our motto is "One School, One Family" where teachers, mothers and local volunteers backed by international small donors are assuring that these children are not forgotten. Worldwide, female students are most affected in similar schools. In this program, we assist five schools with a total of 500 girls, to create clean water systems, improved hygiene and daily nutrition.

"Parents have been so active in their support for the feeding program," says Principal Masdida of Timbangan Elementary school, "They really try their best. The parents truly gave us the assurance and they socialize and make good partnerships. That is their personal investment in the success of our elementary school.

"Even if they have little funds to spend, they permit their children -- our pupils -- to bring firewood, water, and vegetables from the households who have gardens in their lawn to serve as their counterparts. After all the foods have been cooked, we patiently wait until the designated lunch time and serve the pupils. Everyone eats together outdoors or inside of their classrooms... Despite the challenges we always face, we are thankful to God that all of us have common goals to implement this program to strengthen a harmonious relationship.

"Also, a big "thank you" to our major partner Asia America Initiative and to all the people across the world who have supported our dreams for healthy children."

Thank you for supporting our efforts.

Albert Santoli

President, Asia America Initiative

P.S. You or someone you know - may be interested in AAI's current microproject. These projects have smaller goals and quick rewards in providing relief and supplies to children and communities in need.

In honor of Mother's Day, our Mother's Day campaign project spotlights the use of local sourcing of food and helping local moms feed their impoverished communities in the southern Philippines.

AAI encourages these communities to work together at the local school level, which results in positive interaction and equal treatment of various cultural groups. The area schools grow their own gardens funded by AAI and our generous donors. Once the vegetables are grown, they will be used to make the daily meal with the addition of a protein and rice; often chicken or eggs. PTA mothers and teachers volunteer to cook at the underserved schools. This Mother's Day project will help 600 children, their moms and teachers to receive a communal meal at 4 rural primary schools in Sulu, Philippines. Mothers will receive new pots and pans to assist school nurses to cook and serve daily healthy lunches. We will also provide garden tools, seeds, and pipes for fresh water for washing and cooking. Hygiene is a top priority at AAI sponsored schools. Here is the link to the special microproject:

Help PTA Moms Provide Lunches for 600 Hungry Kids

Thank you again.

Albert Santoli

President, Asia America Initiative

PTA Moms prepare lunch for hungry kids

No electric ovens, Moms cook the old-fashioned way

Lunch time at Manilop Elementary School

Lunch is so good at Sahaya Elementary

Happy to serve their children

Links:

Asia America Initiative Website

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Mar 8, 2018
Tonight/Tomorrow $ Match-Girl Fund Campaign/Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition Donors

By Chere Dannettel | Project Leader

Girls at the WASH station

Dear Donors to "Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls",

We are honored to be included in GlobalGiving's campaign "Girl Fund" from March 1st to the 15th.

As a special event, all day on March 8th starting at midnight, GlobalGiving will be generously matching donations at 30%. If you are thinking of making a contribution, a matching day is always a good way to expand your contribution. $100 will have a match of $30. $50 will have a match of $15.

Female students are often most affected. Students often have to travel long distances to attend school and in communities under martial law, sending your girls has additional risk. Parents, as you can understand, will often want to keep school-aged girls home to help with daily chores and take care of younger siblings. But when children can attend an Asia America Initiative supported school, the parents know their chidren will be able to wash, have access to clean water, will eat lunch with their classmates and feel safe as their school is considered a "Peace Zone." Children being able to eat at school also helps the family stretch its resources better in such impoverished areas. Once girls are in school and can stay all day, their chances for sustained learning can occur. Girls can have a chance to become educated and overcome the poverty and subsistence that is so prevalent in their communities.

You may have read the latest report from our Director at Asia America Initiative:

"According to the World Health Organization, 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. During the current school year, despite conducting programs under martial law, Asia America Initiative has partnered with local teachers, parents and industrious officials to build clean water WASH facilities in at least 24 schools in Sulu. In addition, we have increased basic nutrition through school lunches cooked by volunteer mothers and grandmothers. By overcoming malnutrition and illness, we have added to the peace process in the province by our motto "One School/One Family." The improved drinking water and WASH facilities at each school has encouraged the expansion of school-based gardens which provide fresh food for lunches. All of these components combine to overcome poverty, hunger, and communal violence that plague many areas in the Muslim Mindanao region of the Philippines. "The beauty of Asia America Initiative's integrated water and health programs," says Indanan District schools Supervisor Samoore Lahadjali "is that all members of our community can have a role in working together to build a better future for our children. Equal treatment of girls and boys sets a fine example of mutual respect and non-biased opportunity for all of our students."

"In 2018, our goal is to improve and expand our programs to additional schools in need. We seek to maintain an adequate supply of soap and WASH stations to keep children's hands clean in order to keep them healthy, stable and continuing to improve classroom performances. Our beneficiaries in Sulu feel they are truly not forgotten. They send their gratitude to all of our kind donors in the GlobalGiving community!" - Director Al Santoli

As you have supported this project before, we thank you very much for your kind donations and will send you reports in the future with our progress. We thought you may definitely want to be involved in the Girl Fund Campaign and extra bonus as it helps to promote the project that touched your heart.

Thank you again!

Brushing Teeth at School

Girls at school feeding younger students

Moms at school preparing lunch

Moms and Grand-moms cooking

Girls in class

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Feb 6, 2018
Clean Water Empowers Students In Muslim Mindanao

By Albert Santoli | Project Leader

Students wash hands together before school lunch

"It's amazing what a pail of rainwater and simple bars of soap can do to improve children's school performances and strengthen their overall health," observes Nurse Shareen, who is Chief Nurse of the Health Division in the Department of Education in Sulu Province, Philippines. Thanks to GlobalGiving donors, 1,000 children, 500 girls and 500 boys, in three lively elementary schools -- Mukamalli, Sheikh Mustafa and Sahaya Integrated Madrasa -- have been able to improve their performances with the purchase of three 100 gallon hard plastic rainwater-catching tanks adjoining school facilities. In addition, the 500 bars of soap purchased by Asia America Initiative assure that the children have clean hands before and after their daily lunches on school grounds. Infections and communicable illnesses that cause children to miss school days have dramatically been reduced. "Needless to say," says Nurse Shareen, their classroom performances have improved substantially."

According to the World Health Organization, 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. During the current school year, despite conducting programs under martial law, Asia America Initiative has partnered with local teachers, parents and industrious officials to build clean water WASH facilities in at least 24 schools in Sulu. In addition, we have increased basic nutrition through school lunches cooked by volunteer mothers and grandmothers. By overcoming malnutrition and illness, we have added to the peace process in the province by our motto "One School/One Family." The improved drinking water and WASH facilities at each school has encouraged the expansion of school-based gardens which provide fresh food for lunches. All of these components combine to overcome poverty, hunger, and communal violence that plague many areas in the Muslim Mindanao region of the Philippines. "The beauty of Asia America Initiative's integrated water and health programs," says Indanan District schools Supervisor Samoore Lahadjali "is that all members of our community can have a role in working together to build a better future for our children. Equal treatment of girls and boys sets a fine example of mutual respect and non-biased opportunity for all of our students."

In 2018, our goal is to improve and expand beyond these three wonderful elementary schools. We seek to maintain an adequate supply of soap and hand sanitizer to keep children's hands clean in order to keep their health stable and sustain their improving classroom performances. Our beneficiaries in Sulu feel they are truly not forgotten. They send their gratitude to all of our kind donors in the GlobalGiving community!

Soap from Asia America Initiative for 24 schools

100 gallon water tank captures fresh rain water

happy hand washers in rural school

Links:

Asia America Initiative web site

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