Lack of clean water for drinking and hand-washing is a major cause of illness for children in tropical areas of the world. It is also a major cause of elementary school absences and poor academic performance due to fevers and lack of concentration. The United Nations rates Mindanao Region , Philippines near the bottom of the global Human Development Index. This program will fund a 100 gallon water tank and plastic wash basins to improve the health and hygiene needs at a model school.
Mindanao Region, Philippines is rated on par with the poorest African countries by the United Nations. In many communities, most schools lack any type of clean water, washing facilities and hygiene materials. Children miss school or perform poorly because of parasites and illnesses. In addition, the survival difficulties of residents are a cause of civil war and communal unrest. It is also an area where international terror groups such as ISIS seeks to recruit desperate young people.
We will purchase cost -effective sturdy 100 gallon plastic water tanks, catchment devices and rubber pipes, and wash basins; Community volunteers will construct the water supply systems at one elementary schools which currently has no clean water supplies. This will improve the health and study habits of 175 children. It will, as in other AAI programs, encourage students tom have hope for a better future and resist the lure of joining local or international terror groups.
The long-term positive impact of this program empowers Christian and Muslim communities to learn from each other through their respective best practices. Asia America Initiative serves as a communication bridge. Our social media networks facilitate transparent communication and dispel fear and myths that alienate communities who feel alone and abandoned. Starting in schools, positive interaction and equal treatment of various cultural groups by AAI facilitates mutual respect and inspiration.
