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