In the Philippines, religious conflict and natural disasters have caused suffering for millions of children. This program empowers elementary schools in the Muslim Mindanao region to overcome malnutrition and hunger. Inter-faith educational equality and building school communities as "one family" teaches students and parents the value of cooperation and respect for diversity. 500 children benefit from school gardens maintained by families of all faiths.
Our "One School/One Family" partnership assists children in AAI supported elementary schools in the Sulu islands. They are overcoming extreme poverty and communal violence through integrated literacy, livelihood skills, and health support. We structure each school as a "Peace Zone" by supporting literacy, livelihood and school gardening for school lunches. Volunteer parents come together to prepare the lunches which encourages cooperation between all members of a village or neighborhood.
We provide supplies, seeds, garden tools, and clean water systems. School gardens, in addition to improving children's nutrition, also can create small agribusinesses to purchase needed school supplies. Pupils taking care of their plants became motivated to do their best by seeing other children grow beautiful and healthy plants.
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 for action. Our social media facilitates transparent communication and dispels 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.
