Women and Girls Philippines Project #26790

Clean Water, WASH & Nutrition for 500 Muslim Girls

by Asia America Initiative

Summary

Poverty, hunger, rampant waterborne diseases and limited public health plague the Philippines. Sulu Province remains near the bottom of the UN's worldwide Human Development Index. A school-aged population of some 350,000 children -- more than half girls -- are suffering from hunger. Worldwide, female students are most affected in similar schools. In 2019-20, we continue to assist schools with a total of 500 girls, to create clean water systems, improved hygiene and daily nutrition.

$16,500
total goal

$2,895
remaining

52
donors

1
monthly donor

2
years

Challenge

Poverty, hunger, communal violence and limited public health plague Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. Sulu Province remains near the bottom of the UN's worldwide Human Development Index. A school-aged population of some 350,000 children are mostly impoverished and suffering from hunger. Female students are often most affected. We will assist five schools with a total of 500 girls to build clean water systems, WASH facilities and adequate nutrition essential for improved health and education.

Solution

We will assist five schools with a total of 500 girls to build clean water systems, WASH facilities and adequate nutrition through school lunches cooked by volunteer mothers and grandmothers which are essential for improved health and education. With improved water delivery at each school, we will encourage the expansion of school-based gardens to provide fresh foods at each school. Soaps and toothpaste will improve children's health for better classroom performance and more days in school.

Long-Term Impact

The long-term impact of this program is to improve health and school conditions. Our non-biased programs, also build peace by encouraging Christian and Muslim neighbors to respect and help each other, with an emphasis on daughters and grand-daughters . AAI serves as mediators and social healers. Our inter-faith activities dispel fear and biases that alienate communities who feel alone and abandoned. Positive interaction and equal treatment of all girls generate mutual respect and friendship.