Emergency Relief for Inter-Faith Filipino Children

Dear Friends,

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic and school closings have had a tremendous psychological and emotional impact on children and youth. Reverting to electronic classrooms is especially seen in rural and remote areas where electronic and cyber infrastructure is seldom adequate. The effects of isolation and limited classroom engagement cannot meet the educational needs and social development of young children and adolescents. 

In schools fully open for in-classroom learning, the effects persist. Many young learners are having difficulty concentrating and focusing their attention. In addition to grades and test scores declining, many teachers report a substantial increase in shyness, anti-social behavior, and a lack of joy normally seen in children in their age groups.

AAI is supporting many and various activities to promote student involvement in group activities with great success. Our programs are a natural fit to heal the isolation that has been experienced in the school communities. We are supporting reading and math camps, school gardens, lunch programs, story telling, as well as arts and music programs to name a few.

"As educators," says Principal Merhama, of Jolo Island in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, "our greatest challenge is meeting the psychological and emotions needs of our elementary school children after two or three years away from classrooms. We are developing new strategies, working with parents and community leaders to help the children to feel comfortable and to open their minds to enjoying learning through a holistic approach of re-socializing and building self-confidence. Our reading camps utilize the school library which is stocked with fun and interesting AAI text books and story books. The students become very involved and doing team learning as an "ice-breaker." 

At the high school level of re-engagement, Cuartero National High school, located in the primarily Christian region of Visayas is a success story. The assistance that AAI has provided with funding the multi-faceted arts program at the high school has been a center piece for overcoming teenage loneliness and social dysfunction through the spirit of creativity. The Director of the program, Teacher Ramie, has emphasized a "fusion" between the young gadget-oriented generation with their traditional Ilongo ethnic culture.

"The support provided by AAI and local business people and local government officials has empowered our arts program and lifted the students’ morale by fun and creative teamwork," says Teacher Ramie.’

Asia America Initiative serves as a bridge for action. Our social media facilitates transparent communication and dispels fear and myths that alienate communities who feel alone and abandoned. Starting with children, positive interaction and equal treatment of various cultural groups by AAI facilitate mutual respect and inspiration. We could not do this without the assistance and care of GlobalGiving donors from around the world.

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.

Covid-19 Relief for Inter-Faith Filipino Children

Your contributions have made a true difference.

Sincerely,

Albert Santoli,

AAI Director

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