The lack of clean water for drinking and hand-washing is a major cause of illness, especially parasitic nutrition disorders 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 Sulu Province, Philippines near the bottom of the global Human Development Index. This program improves public health and supports education needed for socioeconomic development.
Sulu province, Philippines is rated on a par with the poorest African countries by the United Nations. In many communities. Children miss school or perform poorly because of waterborne parasites and illnesses. We will purchase cost effective 500 gallon plastic water tanks, rubber pipes, and washbasins; community volunteers will construct the water supply systems at three elementary schools which currently have no clean water supplies.
Water tanks, rubber tubes, and water purification tools will enhance the learning abilities of children by providing potable water for handwashing and drinking. This will also provide irrigation for vegetable gardens to enhance daily school lunches of nutritious school-cooked meals, often chicken and vegetable soup and boiled rice, by mothers of students who volunteer. During the current school year, student performance and health has improved in schools through this holistic program.
The long-term positive impact of this program empowers impoverished communities improve education via public health and teaches livelihood skills such as gardening and carpentry to children from parents and teachers. Our social media networks facilitate transparent communication and inspire communities who feel alone and abandoned. Starting in schools, positive interaction and equal treatment of various cultural groups by AAI facilitates mutual respect and peaceful cooperation.