Support 50 Muslim Girls to Become Nurses

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. 

Links:

• Asia America Initiative web site

On August 17 and 18, a second group of 50 mini-nurses representing more than ten elementary schools concluded their emergency aid training session to promote first aid and promote safety measures in their schools. The training on Jolo island is supported by the private NGO, Asia America Initiative, the Sulu Department of Education, and local nurses, teachers and college volunteers.  The program is the first of its kind in the Muslim Mindanao Region city of Jolo. The girls and boys, between the ages of 10 and 12 years old, have become enthusiastic helpers of their school nurses.

The Training, conducted by Red Cross volunteers, introduced the "LIttle [Florence] Nightengales, [founder of modern nursing], to healthy lifestyles and opening their young minds to consider careers in public health services," says Nurse Hja Shareen Lakibul, Head Nurse of the Dept of Eduation in Sulu province.   "The training of “mini nurses” is crucial to places in the Philippine islands such as Sulu where unstable militancy and natural disasters seem to be never-ending. By empowering the 4th to 6th graders and high schoolers, their joyful awareness of public health reaches the whole community and creates a continuous source of health services."

The Mini Nurses program is going through a period rapid and enthusiastic expansion. The program has expanded in its second year from three schools to almost thirty. some 200 students have already graduated from the emergency aid training. The recent mass training is the first community-wide “Child To Child” [C2C] peer learning opportunity since the idea blossomed in 2014.

Red Cross volunteers and the Sulu’s Department of Education school nurses, supported by AAI, instructed attentive mini nurses how to create bandages for head wounds in the case of earthquakes or other natural disasters. “The children’s focus speaks highly of the encouragement from their families and teachers in their communities,” says AAI Director Albert Santoli.

"The program is intended to prepare future generations of healthcare professionals within isolated communities," says Principal Merhama Pandi of Salih Yusah Elmentary School. "This is essential in rural areas where public health is not available. Positive results, starting with a positive attitude, are already apparent."

The "Child 2 Child" Mini-Nurse program is a substantial part of the Child Friendly Schools and Peace Zone programs now underway in Sulu. The participants in these programs will go on to become the next generation of nursing students at colleges such as Sulu State Collece where our "Support 50 Muslim Girls to Become Nurses" program as been a heart-warming success.  Global Giving donors have helped to make a huge difference in the lives of these children, especially the girls who are learning leadership, caring for fellow students and being inspired to become contributing professionals in their communities.  Deep appreciation to all of our extended community of donors.

Links:

• Web Site
• Asia America Initiative projects page on Global Giving