This Holiday Season, AAI will sponsor 2 Christmas parties for 100 children including toys to exchange with each other. The House of Hope in Davao, Philippines, at the Southern Mindanao Medical Center, is the only regional facility providing healing for more than 5000 children with various forms of cancer. Many are in later stages due to the severe poverty of their families and lack of public health. Most have never owned a toy. Sometimes happiness and giving are the best medicine.
Cancer, in many forms, has increased among children in Asia. In the Philippines, the quality of air and water is affected by industrial or agricultural chemicals, widespread poverty, and inadequate public health facilities. In the Mindanao region, where Christians, Muslims, and mountain tribal people live in extremely challenging conditions, the only cancer treatment facility providing low-cost medicines to the poor is the House of Hope in the City of Davao. AAI helps by bringing joy and love.
Cancer treatment is most successful when medicine, nutrition, and a joyful attitude of hope are fully integrated. At House of Hope, cancer treatment is provided by the city government, but the expense of providing transportation, food, and lodging for 3,000 children and their families is overwhelming. Private volunteers and organizations such as Asia America Initiative assist. Christmas parties with toys to exchange help to energize the children and create a joyful spirit of healing.
This program is an international model of donor kindness and corporate social responsibility. For children living in dire poverty, the influence of violent crime and militant extremism is a constant reality. By surviving cancer and experiencing hope, the multi-ethnic children inspire their neighbors. This holistic program empowers entire communities to overcome the trials of life and move forward with hopeful enthusiasm for a better future. Every child matters.
