Invest in Muslim youth volunteering for peace

Dear friends and supporters, 2017 has been a tough year. I am writing this report a few days after flash floods, due to tropical Storm Vinta (Tembin) tore through Northern Mindanao killing more than 200 people, including many here in our own provinces of Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur. The humanitarian crisis in Marawi is not over, the conflict may have ceased but the city is devastated and many many thousands are still displaced from their homes. Martial law has now been extended until end of 2018 which makes travel to remote areas even more difficult. By utilizing our current volunteers, as well as our Alumni, KI has done what it can. We have provided humanitarian aid to more than 20,000 displaced people; 5 of our current volunteers have been reassigned to organizations dealing with the humanitarian crisis. We continue to work with local partners to seek long term solutions for affected communities. Two of our current batch of KI volunteers, Konay and Hameda, have been assisting in a major project which is empowering 200 disadvantaged women to participate more fully in their communities and in the wider peace process.. These women are from 5 remote areas of Lanao del sur, some of the poorest in the Philippines and most affected by conflict over the years. The project activities were suspended in May due to the Marawi conflict. However, the security situation was assessed as safe enough to continue in October. Konay and Hameda have been organizing the women so that they have formed their own registered groups and begin to help themselves. They provide support for the women in the various trainings and workshops. Because they are from the same province, speak the same language they understand the situation and daily problems faced by the women and are able to respond with appropriate action. Your support for volunteers like Konay and Hameda are able to ensure the success of interventions in such remote and challenging areas. Thank you for your continued support and our best wishes for 2018. Mariam