During the past four years of consistent support, we have doubled our goal to increase the number of new nurses in Sulu, Muslim Mindanao in the Philippines. Our achievement is due to generous Global Giving donors and an energeic and skillfull faculty at Sulu State College Nusing School led by Coordinator NurseFrissida, "AAI first became involved in mid-2015 and inspired us not to give up," she recalls. " At that time the Philippine government was prepared to close the Sulu State College Nursing School due to a low graduation rate of around 40 percent. Even the most basic textbooks and classroom supplies such as microscopes were unavailable."
Working with Nurse Frissida and the Sulu State College president, we all made a commitment to try our best to save the program. AAI set a goal of assisting the training 50 new Registered Nurses. Since that time, we have now assisted the graduatiion of close to 120 new nurses who have passed the national examination to obain their Registered Nursing licenses.
Sulu is located within the Ring of Fire notorious for numerous earthquakes and volcanoes. It is also one of the most needy and impoverished areas in the world according to United Nations Development reports. Deaths of women in childbirth, the fatalities of children with treatable illnesses and rampant malnutrition are all endemic among one million people scattered in 100 islands of all sizes.
Former SSC Nursing School faculty member, Dr. NIssa, RN and Ph.D. is currently the Dean of the Graduate School at Mindanao State University. AAI has made a commitment to MSU Nursing School and Nursing Graduate Degree program to make an effort to help them to excel, similar to our program at SSC. "What is so inspiring to us is that people from outside our place believed in us, and sent us support so we could achieve our dreams," Dean Nissa says. "Like at SSC, we were motivated also by how unselfishly AAI acted with a positive attitude and that made everyone more willing to do their part."
Our goal for 2019-20 is to assist at least another 100 quality nursing students to earn their professional licenses. We hope that you remember us in your prayers and if possible, with your generous support. Thank you.
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In September, 2018, in Sulu Province, Philippines, AAI sponsored the local Department of Education Health and Nutrition Section's nurses to conduct a two day training seminar and workshops for elementary and high school students and some teachers. The emphasis of these seminars was to train hundreds of students and teachers to be first aid responders in the event of natural or man-made disasters. In addition to emergency services, the HNS nurses provided aid materials to foster preparedness ahead of any cataclysmic events that often plagues the Philippines. Due to lack of competence by government, Asia America Initiative backed by our generous GlobalGiving donors provided the funding to conduct these trainings.
The students participate in modules of training including: General First Aid practices, Post-traumatic Psychological first aid, and Disaster Preparedness. Each Little Nurse, starting in grades 4 and 5, each received back packs with first aid equipment.
In our many years of conducting disaster relief and trauma counseling, AAI has learned that a positive attitude, with neighbors and children demonstrating compassion and friendship to each other is a key factor to help communities to stabilize. Students were inspired to do artwork during these training sessions to bring out the fears and inner-feelings of those suffering from trauma. This shared compassion will not only help their community in times of need but will inspire young people to pursue higher education in the health care field. Our success in rebuilding the quality of graduates in the local college nursing schools is an offshoot success of our holistic approach.
Nurse Shareen, who heads the school health services office says, "The confidence and readiness that we instill in our little nurses program and to empower classroom teachers to work with traumatized students is a benefit to our entire community. The enthusiasm shown by our elementary school nurses' aids is far beyond our expectation... and they actively assist their fellow students whenever there is a cut or a bruise and need a helping hand."
The first Child to Child training seminars two years ago involved 2 schools and not more than 20 students. This year, 300 students are participating from 12 schools in the region. The total number of trained little nurses exceeds 500 from nearly 50 schools in the region!
"As trained leaders in crisis, they are learning how to effectively communicate with peers and elders in the most difficult times," says Nurse Shareen. "These skills will cross over to their daily lives and the community will benefit through interpersonal communication and empathy for others. It can also reduce local clashes of violence in the future that are often exploited by outside influences. Many of these students will apply to college to become nurses."
Once again, your contributions help these students to excel and cover the cost of the expenses to conduct our AAI-HNS emergency relief program.
Thank you for your kindness! We will be stepping up training during Holiday Season 2018 to continuously develop this program.
Sincerely,
Director Al Santoli
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Something special has happened in the nursing program at Sulu State College in Muslim Mindanao, Philippines. Located in one of the world's most disaster and poverty plagued regions, the school become a beacon of hope for the entire community. Three years ago only 30 percent of graduates passed the national nursing license exam. The school faced closure -- and an atmosphere of despondency permeated the school's teachers and students. The partnership between a new administration and the willingness of Asia America Initiative [AAI] and our GlobalGiving donors to stand by the "never surrender" attitude of the bright young students has made all the difference. The students are now among the top performers in all such schools in the Philippines, which has the reputation of providing quality nurses to hospitals in many other parts of world. In fact, numerous studies show that the Philippines is the largest exporter of nurses in the world.
Locally, with enrollement at the Sulu State Nursing School growing, the inspiration created by its success is becoming legendary. Former Sulu State College Nursing School faculty member, Doctor [of Education] Charisma Ututalum, was recently named the President of the entire College. Our challenge at AAI is to sustain this success by supporting bright young students in their studies.
Their success was compounded in June 2018, when faced with possible closure,100 percent of the recent Registered Nurse grads ALL passed their national testing examinations!
With support from Asia America Initiative, nursing students are supplied with their basic educational needs, classroom materials, graduation fees and the cost of licensing exams, These young women demonstrate the potential success for Muslim women around the world. In addition, as health care providers, the nurses are providing vital services to all community members and expanding the employment base in one of the most economically deprived areas of the world. They also are symbols for an aspiring population of youth.
When AAI began assisting Sulu State College to train a mere 50 impoverished students to complete nursing school, we had no idea how the overall public health program in Sulu would grow!! Since then, more than 200 young ladies and gentlemen have earned their Registered Nurses professional certification under the revitalized nursing school curriculum. AAI has provided assistance with fiancial support from GlobalGiving donors to ship or buy locally the text books and clinical equipment needed. Our approach is to build a generational attitude of progress and a culture of success. We are targeting results over a ten year period rather than simply intervening for one or two years.
We ask all of our donors to reward the school's progress by continuing your support. We are "One Big Family," no matter our culture or religious beliefs. Today's nursing students are tomorrow's experienced health care providers and teachers. We thank you and look forward to your continued support.
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This Spring we are celebrating much more than the 31 new nursing graduates at the Nursing School of Sulu State College. On March 26, the Nursing School had its charter renewed by the Philippines Higher Education Department (CHED) and is eligible to begin a new freshman class of nursing applicants for the 4-year program. This is a substantial achievement in one of the most underserved and least developed provinces in the Philippines in Public Health and all other social and economic categories.
Three years ago, when Asia America Initiative and our GlobalGiving donors began our support,the school faced closure due to a 30 percent graduation rate. However, today the school is among the highest achievers in the country, with a graduation average of some 80 percent. Led by Sulu State College President Dr. Russ Arasid and Nursing School Director, Frissida Daud, RN, the program has become a beacon of progress for the entire community. As of April 2018, AAI has helped support the successful licensing of more than 150 new nurses via SSC. The challenge is to sustain this success by supporting more bright young students to aim high in their studies.
On March 26, 2018 the Graduation and Pinning Ceremony for the new graduates was titled, "Nursing Education: A New Beginning," was conducted with a flower decorated stage at the SSC Auditorium. In her inspiring comments to graduates, Nurse Frissida praised and challenged her students"
"May your journey bring you all a road to success now and beyond. In Sha Allah (God willing).... Stay Grateful, Patient, and Sincere."
Asia America Initiative and GlobalGiving wish to thank all donors for your past donations to this ongoing project!
We would like to remind you that GlobalGiving's "Little by Little" Campaign will match donations up to $50 at 50%. If you would like to start a new monthly contribution, GlobalGiving will match it 100% ! The Little by Little Campaign will match donations this week (April 9-13) until funds run out. If you are thinking of donating during this special event, follow this link:
Your donations will help our hard-working nursing students with their basic educational needs, classroom materials, graduation fees and the cost of licensing exams. These young women demonstrate the potential success for Muslim women around the world. In addition, as health care providers, the nurses are providing vital services to all community members and expanding the employment base in one of the most economically deprived areas of the world. They also are symbols of hope and progress for the youth.
Thank you for your kindness.
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In December 2017, we are pleased to report that the Asia America Initiative support to train 50 Muslim Girls to Become Nurses at Sulu State College has now surpassed 140 licensed nurses since the program began in 2015. Sulu Province, with a 98 percent Muslim population, has one of the most underserverd health systems in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. The addition of these new skilled nursing professionals strengthens the overall health system in the province of close to a million people on some 200 separate islands.
Financial support from GlobalGiving donors with a number of conributions and donations of books and equipment by a group of public and church schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia supported a revitalized corps of classroom instructors led by Nurse Frissida Daud, who has provided leadership and inspiration. "We thank God," states Nurse Frissida "and extend our warm gratitude to all those who have encouraged and supported the success of our 2017 graduating students in the National Licensing Examination."
When we started this program three years ago, we hoped to assist 50 additional female nursing students with their basic medical education needs. These components included classroom materials, graduation fees and the cost of licensing exams. We now have surpassed by 300 percent the number of new nurses who are helping to improve the overall health conditions in their communities. These young women demonstrate potential success for Muslim women around the world. In addition, as health care providers, the nurses are providing vital services to all community members and expanding the employment base in one of the most economically deprived areas of the world. They are symbols for achievement which is a great morale booster for the youth. At present the Sulu Department of Education's Child-to-Child "mini-nurses" volunteer program has begun in more than 18 elementary and high schools, backed by AAI and local government officials. Trained by the Red Cross in First Aid and emergency response, these young volunteers are forming a public health cadre to serve their communities in the future.
We believe that the best is yet to come. Thank you, AAI donors, for your kindness and support.
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