Development for Peace in Sulu Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli returned to the Autonomous Muslim region of the Philippines in January, 2006, to conduct peace mediation with guerilla leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front [MNLF] through AAI’s innovative Development for Peace in Sulu (DPIS) project. The activities included the expanding the first peace zone school in Kasambuhan Village and an expansion of the Community Service Scholarship Program at Mindanao State University and Notre Dame College. Livelihood activities include local fishermen and family seaweed farmers being coordinated into cooperatives by AAI scholarship students at the Fisheries College of Mindanao State University in Jolo. Trip Summary 
| AAI Director Al Santoli with military leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front during peace mediation discussions in Indanan District, Sulu.
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| AAI Director Al Santoli with MNLF guerillas during peace discussions in the mountains of Indanan District, Sulu. |  | AAI Philippines Project Manager Atty. Nabil Tan [tallest man in group] traveled with Director Santoli to meet with MNLF political and military leaders.
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| MNLF guerilla soldiers in Indanan District, Sulu. | 
| Overcrowded classroom at AAI newest Model of Excellence School, Don Jose Golindez Elementary, in Patikul, Sulu.. | 
| Absence of light and ventilation, bamboo walls, leaking roofs and mud floors of classroom at Don Jose Golindez Elementary School in Patikul, Sulu. | 
| Parents of students at Don Jose Golindez Elementary School made silent plea to AAI to support their children’s school and quality of education.
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| Enthusiastic students in courtyard of the overcrowded Don Jose Golindez Elementary School in Patikul, Sulu.
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| Enthusiastic students in courtyard of the overcrowded Don Jose Golindez Elementary School in Patikul, Sulu join their parents in greeting AAI Director Santoli. |  | Folk dancers perform in Tausug tribal dress at Don Jose Golindez Elementary School. | 
| Parents of students at Don Jose Golindez Elementary.
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| New desks provided by AAI have transformed the first Peace Zone School, Kasambuhan Elementary, in Indanan District.
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| Classroom mini-library with books provided by AAI at the Peace Zone school at Kasambuhan Village, Indanan District.
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| New double-seat desks transform classroom at Kasambuhan Elementary.
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| Mini-library Tanjung Elementary School in Jolo with books provided by AAI and our NGO partners Bato Balani Foundation and Brother’s Brother.
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| Classroom at AAI Model of Excellence School in Jolt area with new furnishings provided by AAI.
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| Canned fruit and fish produced by teachers and students at Jolo [High] School of Fisheries. | 
| Mindanao State University College of Fisheries, scholarship recipients and a DPIS Model of Excellence School, is organizing local fishermen and seaweed farmers into cooperatives.
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DPIS January 2006 Trip Summary Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli returned to the Autonomous Muslim region of the Philippines in January, 2006, to conduct peace mediation with guerilla leaders of the Moro National Liberation Front [MNLF] through AAI’s innovative Development for Peace in Sulu (DPIS) project. The activities included the expanding the first peace zone school in Kasambuhan Village and an expansion of the Community Service Scholarship Program at Mindanao State University and Notre Dame College. Livelihood activities include local fishermen and family seaweed farmers being coordinated into cooperatives by AAI scholarship students at the Fisheries College of Mindanao State University in Jolo. The MSU Fisheries College has also initiated a new fish and fruit canning company to teach entrepreneurship and to enhance the funding of their college.
AAI also adopted 31 midwives and pediatric nurses [i.e. paying their monthly expenses] whose government funding was cut, despite Sulu having one of the highest infant mortality rates in all Southeast Asia. In addition, AAI responded to an appeal by the parents of the 1,200 students at Don Jose Golindez Elementary School, where classrooms consist of bamboo walls with mud floors, which flood during the current rainy season as the newest member of the DPIS model public schools. Since mid 2004, the 14 DPIS Model of Excellence Schools have averaged a 65 percent graduation rate, as compared to 35 percent for the rest of the province. In addition, due to the renovation of classrooms, provision of desks and tables, computers, textbooks and musical and sports equipment, attendance is up in all schools
In addition, the USAID Philippines-coordinated EQUALLS education consortium for Muslim Mindanao, of which the AAI is one of seven lead organizations, received a USAID Meritorious Honor Group Award: "In recognition for its entrepreneurial spirit and outstanding teamwork designing a new development model that incorporates Global Development Alliance principals and maximizes mission resources for the implementation of the Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills (EQUALLS) project." signed by USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios, dated November 17, 2005.
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