Development for Peace in Sulu

Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli returned to the Autonomous Muslim region of the Philippines accompanied by Ambassador Curtin Winsor, currently a board member of the Willam H. Donner Foundation, and Akram Elias, a Washington-based public diplomacy expert. The purpose of the visit was to further integrate health, education and economic development as part of the Development for Peace in Sulu (DPIS) project. The AAI provided a substantial amount of requested health and school supplies to address the needs of the regional hospital and public and moderate Muslim schools. The AAI also provided de-worming medicine to treat 25,000 children. The AAI, in partnership with the President of the Philippines Office for Youth Affairs is creating a high-tech learning program, and will be providing scholarships for 100 third and fourth year college students. To further livelihood opportunity, AAI is coordinating with the Speaker of the House, Joe De Venicia and the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center to create both fresh-water and salt-water fish-farms and related industries.

AAI has expanded its program to the central Mindanao town of Sultan Kudarat to assist in mediation on the peace talks between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). In support of the peace process, AAI is partnering with the Bangsamoro Development Agency - initiated by the World Bank as part of the MILF peace negotiating team - to create a model grass-roots community development program, based on the DPIS model.

The Regional Champion Mohammed Tulawie Elementry School marching band with new instruments and batons purchased with funding from AAI, and uniforms made by the parents.

Tulawie Elementary School band in December, 2003.

Al Santoli assists school nurses at Mohammad Tulawie Central Elementary School administer deworming medicines to students, with medicines donated by MedPharm, Inc.

Ambassador Curtin Winsor of the William H. Donner Foundation assists school nurses administer deworming medicines to students at Mohannamd Tulawie Central Elementry School.

Al Santoli, Akram Elias and Ambassador Curtin Winsor greeted by the Mohammad Tulawie Elementary School Band.

Students observing the distribution of desks, school supplies and medicines by the AAI at the Sheik Mustafa Elementary School.

Teachers display the only two working microscopes at the Jolo Fisheries High School.

Observing a home economics class at Jolo Fisheries High School.

Students at Sulu High School pose in front of Philippines Army security vehicles.

AAI delegation being welcomed at Sulu High School for a ceremony to distribute donated books, school supplies and computer technology.

Al Santoli and Akram Elias are welcomed by drummers of the Sulu High School band.

Al with students of Sulu High School following distribution of school supplies by AAI.

AAI delegation and Autonomous region of Muslim Mindanao Executive Secretary Nabil Tan visiting with the Grand Imam, Jukub bin-Izmi, at the Southwestern Mindanao technical Madrassa School.

AAI delegation visits a neighborhood madrassa with a donation of chairs and blackboards for the school.

A representative of Sulu Red Cross addresses a community meeting at Sulu regional hospital.