By Albert Santoli | Project Leader
Dear Friends,
In the impoverished community of Indanan on Jolo island in the Philippines, Sharifa, a former Asia America Initiative volunteer is now a full-time 5th grade teacher. She learned from visiting AAI partner schools in Cuartero province, 400 kilometers to the north, the power of community school gardens. With the support of her school head, fellow teachers and parent-volunteers, she has revitalized a lunch program and school garden as part of of AAI's "One School -- One Family" health and nutrition program for malnourished children.
Sharifa says, " For some of our school children the only full meal they have each day is at school. Our pupils really love soup. For every feeding, I make two large casseroles of soup for our 280+ pupils."
This AAI "One School -- One Family" program assists up to 20,000 children in elementary schools in Sulu and Visayas. They are overcoming extreme poverty and communal violence through integrated literacy, livelihood skills, and health support. We have created a social media network for Muslim and Christian educators and children to share their new skills, hopes, and dreams. Mothers and grandmothers of pupils assist teachers to cook daily meals. In addition, as schools reopen after the global pandemic, AAI teams provides thousands of donated books, school supplies, garden tools, and clean water systems to help sustain this network of schools to make a difference.
Teacher Sharifa had a special request from her pupils after they tried boxed corn muffin mix for the first time and loved it. "After our semester exams," she suggested, "maybe AAI can add in your packages some chocolate powder, cupcakes mix, some colorful sprinkles etc. so that occasionally, we can give the pupils cupcakes?? We don't have an oven but we have learned how to steam the muffins or cupcakes. They are moist and taste delicious!"
We replied, "Okay, Teacher Sharifa. Cupcake mix on the way... with sprinkles!"
The long-term impact of this joyful program empowers Christian and Muslim communities to learn from each other through their respective best practices and recipes. Asia America Initiative serves as a communication bridge for peace action. Schools provide positive interaction and equal treatment of various cultural groups. AAI volunteers, teachers, and especially school leadership facilitate mutual respect and inspiration for the students to be able to overcome the many obstacles caused by poverty and communal violence to improve their lives.
If you would like to add to your support or become a monthly sponsor, please click the link below to assist in this worthwhile endeavor.
Unite Inter-Faith Children via Education and Water
Wishing you peace,
Albert Santoli,
Director, Asia America Initiative
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