Support 50 Muslim Girls to Become Nurses

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

Links:

• Asia America Iniative Website

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. 

Links:

• Asia America Initiative
• Article -New Nursing School President, Charisma Ututalum