Support 50 Muslim Girls to Become Nurses

Dear Friends,

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic and school closings had a tremendous psychological and emotional impact on elementary school children and high school youth. The effects of fear, isolation and limited classroom socialization did not meet young children's and adolescents' educational needs and social development. As a result of wide-ranging study, Asia America Initiative increased our nursing sholarship programs to include future psychologists and expanded training for school nurses. 

Unfortunately, three years after the impact of the COVID pandemic, related trauma and social effects persist. Today, many young learners are having difficulty concentrating and focusing their attention in school. In addition to declining grades and academic scores, many teachers report a substantial increase in shyness, anti-social behavior, and a lack of the joy normally seen in children in their age groups.

AAI has targeted geographically remote area such as the Sulu archipelago in the remote islands between the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia where there is growing influence generated by the internet and social media in our island schools, we support  school communities as students are encouraged to engage in various programs to promote student involvement in group activities.  In the initial stages, supported by psychology departments in the nursing schools such as Notre Dame College, Mindanao State University and the Ateneo in Zamboanga, there has been commendable success. Our programs are a popular antidote to heal the isolation that students have experienced. We are supporting reading and math camps, school gardens, lunch programs, storytelling and arts and music programs, to name a few creative experiments. But for many students, this has not been enough.

AAI has increased our efforts by sponsoring Psychology Nursing students during the years post-COVID, and the new nurses are beginning to make a profound difference in their communities and on social media. As a supporter of this program, we know that every psychological nurse matters.  This is especially true when a community is impoverished and most residents live well below the poverty line. In a place with few medical doctors and no psychiatrists, nurses are the framework of public health. 

"Psychology nurses in Sulu are a beacon of hope," says elementary school principal Merhama in Jolo, Sulu. "They are role models and heroes for the entire community. They are also positive symbols for local youth, which helps them to interact with classmates successfully."

Psychology nurses are trained to work with students, one-on-one, to help them overcome the learning hardships they have endured. Feeling behind in their studies has an adverse spiral effect on young students. Their minds become closed.  Proper assessments and getting them to engage with others in the same situation helps to them attend remedial reading and math camps without the stigma of embarrassment that is often a stigma at a young age.

Asia America Initiative serves as a bridge for such action. Starting with children, by promoting positive interaction and equal treatment of various cultural groups facilitates mutual respect and inspiration. We could not do this without the assistance, care and love 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.

Support 50 Muslim Girls to Become Nurses

Your contributions have truly made a difference.

Sincerely,

Albert Santoli,

AAI Director

Links:

• Asia America Website