By Albert Santoli | Project Leader
Dear Friends,
AAI and local partner organizations have been conducting Food for Peace and Health relief missions into the volatile and impoverished Kidapawan area in between Cotabato and Davao, Mindanao, Philippines. This program has brought together Muslims, Christians and indigenous tribal peoples all helping each other for the common good.
Food for Peace events have given meals and hygiene supplies to more than 1000 families and 4,000 school children, with the majority being females, since January this year. Support of girls and women is vital our success in these areas. Many have been displaced or are in dire need due to post-pandemic food shortages and repeated typhoon rains and wind that have destroyed farm fields during the current El Nino and La Nina weather patterns over the Philippines.
As is our practice of mediation, AAI provides relief through schools in the area which serve as a communal zone of refuge. Volunteer family members are always a part of the preparation of food and comforting activities to hungry children. In addition, we have been providing materials for the repair of classrooms so more students can attend scools that have been damaged by storms.
AAI improves the strength, concentration and overall health of children from areas of high poverty through the school feeding programs. We encourage and provide seeds for school-based gardens that volunteer parents, teachers and students can utilize. The gardens provide fresh food for school lunches - cooked by volunteer mothers, fathers and grandmothers.
By building clean water systems and providing soaps, toothpaste, and other hygiene products - girls' and boys'health does raidly improve. Girls are encouraged to attend more days in school and their classroom performance is enhanced. In addition, the improved water delivery at each school and access to school lunches enables girls to experience improved overall well-being.
Poverty, hunger, rampant waterborne diseases, and limited public health plague not only the Philippines. But in many areas of the world, including the United States. We extend our deepest appreciatiopn to our GlobalGiving donors who make these programs possible. We appreciate your kind assistance. We could not do this without you!
If you would like to add to your support or begin a monthly donation, please click through this report and GlobalGiving will prepare that for you to assist in this worthwhile endeavor.
Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls
Thank you,
Albert Santoli,
Director, Asia America Initiative
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