Development for Peace in Sulu

Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli returned to the Autonomous Muslim Region of the Philippines to coordinate with local community leaders and prepare the third year of the Development for Peace in Sulu project. The next phase of the DPIS programs focuses on the “Education Component” by furthering the standards of learning in the public school system. It will also integrate economic development through entrepreneurial and livelihood opportunities as building blocks for long-term peace and deterrence to terrorist recruitment in the region.

With the support of the National Geographic Foundation, the William H. Donner Foundation and private donors, the AAI provided new chairs, tables, textbooks and computers to the DPIS model elementary schools, high schools, and to the Jolo campus of the Mindanao State University. In partnership with the President of the Philippine's Office for Youth Affairs, and with support from the US-based William H. Donner Foundation, the AAI announced the first recipients of a new scholarship program for college students and high school students who are respected scholars but lack the means to pay for college tuition. In addition, the AAI is developing a partnership with the Manila-based FIT-ED NGO and the private Ateneo colleges in Zamboanga and Davao cities in Mindanao to create a high-tech learning program for the high schools and colleges in Sulu. To further livelihood opportunity, AAI, in partnership with the Speaker of the House, Joe De Venecia and the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center [NIFTDC], sent a group of ten teachers from the Fisheries High School in Jolo to the NIFTDC, located in the northern Philippines, to learn new techniques for expanding the fishing and fish processing industry.

The AAI also continued providing desperately needed assistance to the provincial health system. A substantial amount of requested medicines and healthcare supplies provided by MedPharm, Inc. to address the needs of the regional hospital and school clinics, where school nurses use personal funds to provide for basic medicinal needs because the schools lack a health budget. An x-ray machine and the province’s first mammogram machine were provided by the American Muslim Women’s Coalition. The AAI also began providing assistance for improving sanitation at the elementary schools, which lack septic tanks.

The AAI’s impact on conflict resolution in a community known for generations of violence has been profound. Mr. Santoli traveled to Jolo and spent two nights, including his birthday, in the immediate aftermath of a wave of bombings that were related to post-election rivalry. His choice to be present, despite a “travel advisory” for U.S. citizens issued by the U.S. Embassy, was intended to demonstrate to the leaders and especially the youth that their future should be based on education and hope rather than violent self-destruction. Demonstrating consistency by repeatedly “coming back” to the troubled region, the showing of confidence through the AAI “extended-family,” funding a scholarship program to invest in the future of the next generation, all has helped to reinforce a new belief that there can be a better tomorrow.

Children's ward at the Sulu Regional Hospital.

The first group of AAI high school schoolarship students at Sulu High School.

AAI Director Al Santoli with first group of community service scholarship students at the Mindanao State University - Sulu campus.

Second grade class at Mohammad Tulawie Central Elementary School with chairs and tables provided by AAI and walls freshly painted by parents.

Birthday party for Al Santoli celebrated in children's ward at Sulu Regional Hospital.

Distributing medicines and toys for children's ward at Sulu Regional Hospital, with hospital staff.

High School computer lab, without internet connection.

Jolo Community Health and Education Committe with Al Santoli meeting to plan next activities for the DPIS program.

Ceremony to distribute classroom and library books contributes by Sabre Foundation at Mohammad Tulawie Central Elementry School.

Children of Jolo at Mohammad Tulawie at ceremony to receive school from AAI.

Computers and textbooks donated to Mindanao State University - Sulu Campus by the AAI.

Meetings with teachers and administrators at the Jolo Fisheries High School to plan fish processing student-enterprises to support the school, which lacks funds for basic laboratory supplies.

Teachers from Jolo Fisheries High School who attended a seminar at the National Fisheries Training and Development Center, sponsored by the AAI, Speaker of the House Joe DeVenicia, the Office of President Arroyo, and the Philippine Airline Foundation.

On the campus of Notre Dame of Solo College, Al Santoli meets with college president Father Roneo Saniel and Dean Elvira Abdulla.

Planning meeting with AAI community service scholarship program students at MSU-Sulu.

Distributing toys and balloons at the children's ward at Sulu Regional Hospital to celebrate Al Santoli's birthday.