Gender Equality 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 2020-21, we will continue to assist schools with a total of 500 girls, to create clean water systems, improved hygiene, and daily nutrition.

$20,000
total goal

$2,599
remaining

60
donors

1
monthly donor

3
years

Challenge

Poverty, hunger, communal violence, and limited public health plague Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. 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 three schools with a total of 500 girls. Our focus is to build clean water systems, WASH facilities, and promote adequate nutrition: all essentials for improved health and education.

Solution

By building clean water systems, WASH facilities, and by providing soaps, toothpaste, and other hygiene products - girls health can improve. They will attend more days in school and classroom performance will be enhanced. We encourage the expansion of school-based gardens to provide fresh foods at each school for lunches - cooked by volunteer mothers and grandmothers. With improved water delivery at each school, and access to school lunches, girls can experience improved overall well-being.

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.