Unite Inter-Faith Children via Education and Water

Dear Friends,

School gardens DO make great school lunches. In AAI sponsored schools, teachers, principals, parent volunteers and students help to create and maintain beautiful school gardens that are used to supplement the all-volunteer school lunches.

School staff, parents, students, and other volunteers set up their school garden with AAI donated supplies of seeds, garden tools, and most importantly, clean water systems to help sustain the gardens and the students.

For school lunches, AAI provides rice and protein such as eggs and chicken. Vegetables and greens are gathered from the school gardens. Students provide firewood collected on the way to school. It is then the duty of the volunteer mothers, aunts, and grandmothers to assist teachers in cooking the daily meals. Everyone gathers at lunchtime to share the meal and goodwill.

To AAI donors, our success is because of your support. As part of AAI's "One School -- One Family" health and nutrition program for malnourished children, Mukammali ES school garden and lunch programs are models of success. Recently the principal from Mukammali sent thanks to all who make this program possible.

From Mukammali ES:

"To share blessings is more than happiness. Thank you, parents and teachers and AAI, for all your water, seeds, vegetables, rice, and chicken and shared firewood that makes our school feeding nutritious and successful for this school year 2023-2024. Let us hope that we have more school feedings in the near days to come."

AAI's 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.

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

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website