Thank you for supporting Asia America Initiative's project, "Food and Shelter for Philippine Typhoon Survivors." Your continued support has allowed us to experience the essential components of how a community can recover from devastating natural disasters. An effective recovery process requires the Time to be industrious and build trust; Patience to weather any subsequent storms and the Sweat of communities sharing their labor and skills to rebuild homes, schools and their human spirit.
In September 2018, major typhoon Mangkhut delivered destruction to the northern Philippines causing 105,000 to be homeless. These areas were heavily damaged in 2013 by Super Typhoon Haiyan and in 2017 Typhoon Vinta. The storm not only devastated the northern "rice bowl" area of the Philippines, but also caused heavy flooding and mud slides in the central Christian Visayas region and in the southern region of Muslim Mindanao.
We continue to assist displaced and severely affected communities. Our goal for 2019 is 30,000 people, primarily children and elders. "The impact on food prices in the entire Philippines was drastically increased because of the damage in the north where most rice is grown," says Nurse Faith, an AAI coordinator in Visayas In response, AAI increased daily lunch programs in schools with a 40 to 50 percent participation rate by parents of school children. "This program has brought communities together, most of whom are impoverished agricultural workers who do not own their own land."
Asia America Initiative is committed to providing food and water to thousands of affected families. We also provide shelter materials, hygiene supplies, medicines and other post-trauma services. We distribute large quantities of education/school supplies and the means to set up clean water supply systems.
Our long term goal is the self-sufficiency of storm survivors across the region. The immediate impact is to keep people alive, healthy and in a positive frame of mind - enthusiastic about building a better future.
If you would like to give monthly support for our long term project, please follow the link below. Monthly contributions are a great way to budget and Global Giving is giving a 100% match for new recurring donations - a nice way to help communities you care about and double your impact! (Be sure to toggle to "monthly" donation.)
Food and Shelter for Philippine Typhoon Survivors
Thank you for your donations and concern.
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The Boy and Girl Scout troops of Sulu, Philippines wish to thank you for providing the funding needed for their new all-weather tents. The expression that "big things come in small packages" is certainly appropriate as the tents can be carried like a small suitcase, but when taken out of the box and set-up, they can comfortably shelter up to 10 scouts in uniform. "The tents allow us to provide fun and training to boys and girls in scouting skills, no matter the weather," says Teacher and Scout Master Jainab in Indanan, Sulu.
"This project permits troops to participate in outdoor training in environments that can pose severe challenges due to heavy rains and forest related illnesses such as malaria, cholera and dengue fever," says Principal Merhama of Salih Yusah Elementary School. The district of Indanan in Sulu Province is near the Equator and covered with dense jungle. Asia America Initiative is focused on improving scouting skills as a means of education and peace building. For peace building, scouting brings together children of diverse backgrounds.
There are 2,650,000 boy and 800,000 girl scouts in the Philippines. Filipino Scouting is accredited within the World Organization of the Scout Movement as the second largest Scouting population in the world. Boy/Girl Scout chapters, located mostly in public schools, bring together children of all ethnic, religious and socio-economic sectors, which builds peace. Many scouts in Sulu live in dire poverty. Their bond is a willingness to serve their communities. In a region plagued with ethnic and religious conflict, the bonding of children under organized Scouting activities and positive social structure develops uplifting shared experiences which build trust and friendship.
Even though our micro-project has ended, you could continue to support a different long term project. Monthly contributions are a great way to budget. Global Giving is giving a 100% match for new recurring donations - you can double your impact! Follow the link and select the Donate Now button. (Be sure to toggle to "monthly" if you are interested in a recurring donation.)
Clean Water & Nutrition for 1,000 Interfaith Girls
Unite Inter-Faith Children via Education and Water
Thank you for your donation to AAI and assistance providing tents to these future leaders of their community.
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Students across the Phillippines are returning to school in June. AAI supported school children are given supplies in both Visayas and Sulu. Shipping of supplies began in April and arrived in time for the new school year.
AAI's program assists 20,000 children in elementary schools in Sulu and Visayas, Philippines. AAI with assistance from school teachers, staff, the local fire department and volunteers gather to unbox and distribute supplies and books to schools. Those schools will then, in turn, schedule distribution days for children to receive the items as the school year begins. Students who can not afford supplies are often embarrassed to go to school without them and our program provides a festive atmosphere in which all children can participate. Everyone involved feels a sense of pride and community. We thank you for your donations which help to make these events such a success.
The program empowers elementary schools in regions where children are victims of natural and man-made disasters. Families are often Internally Displaced due to these factors and children will then attend neighboring schools if they are able. Having supplies on hand is welcoming and the school can give without burden on their resources.
Inter-faith education equity teaches students the value of cooperation and diversity. We have created a social media network for Muslim and Christian educators and children to share their new skills, hopes, and dreams. AAI provides books, school supplies, clean water and hygiene. We support literacy, livelihood, gardening, and school lunches cooked by volunteer parents to enhance progress and peace.
If you would like to continue your support with our long term project, monthly contributions are a great way to budget. GlobalGiving is giving a 100% match for new recurring donations - you can double your impact! Follow the link and select the Donate Now button. Be sure to toggle to "monthly" if you are interested in a recurring donation.
Unite Inter-Faith Children via Education and Water
Thank you for your help in providing to these children and communities. Asia America Initiative serves as a communication bridge for action.
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