Development for Peace in Sulu Asia America Initiative Director Al Santoli returned to the Autonomous Muslim region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in the Philippines in September 2004, to expand the model schools and economic development component of the innovative Development for Peace in Sulu (DPIS) project. In a study conducted by the Philippines Government, Sulu Province, home of the Tausug tribe, is at the very bottom of the national poverty and underdevelopment indexes. In addition, it is the traditional home of the fiercest Muslim warriors in the region who have withstood the Spanish, American, and Japanese efforts to control their islands and whose leaders in recent years were at the forefront in the battle for autonomy. Key leaders of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group originated out of Patikul, an impoverished semi-rural district just outside of Jolo.
The AAI has expanded the model schools project to 12 public schools—from preschool through college, and has added an adult literacy project – combining ongoing private sector assistance with a grant from the U.S. Congress facilitated by the U.S. Agency for International Development. In addition, the DPIS program has created a privately-funded “Community Service Scholarship” program for high school seniors at Sulu National High School and for college seniors at the Mindanao State University in Jolo. In order to qualify, students must achieve high academic standards and perform voluntary community service. In a school system which currently suffers a drop-our rate of some 65 percent, the high school scholars serve as “big brothers and big sisters,” to incoming students.
Private assistance has been provided by the William H. Donner Foundation, MedPharm, Inc., Northwest Airlines, the National Geographic Foundation, American Muslim Women’s Coalition, the Philippine Airline Foundation, the Sabre Foundation and the New York-based National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
The principal goals for the third year of DPIS activity are to improve infrastructure conditions in schools where: - average class size is 60 students per teacher
- where there is only one chair or desk per 6 students
- many classrooms have less than one textbook per 6 students
In order to deter terrorist recruitment and sustain under-funded schools, DPIS is focused on stimulating grassroots livelihood opportunities. The first step has been to help develop the Agricultural and Fisheries High Schools into centers of entrepreneurial opportunity for students and their families. To further livelihood opportunity, AAI is coordinating with the Philippines’ Speaker of the House of Representatives, Joe De Venecia and the National Integrated Fisheries Technology Development Center, to create both fresh-water and salt-water fish-farms and related industries.
Bakud Elementary School, a model school of the Jolo Department of Education with labor and artistic decoration done by the parents and teachers, with NGO assistance from "Books for the Barrios" and the AAI.
Preschool class at Bakud Elementary School in Jolo.
Classroom in Bakud Elementary School with tables provided by AAI.
 Mohammed Tulawie Elementary band at ceremony marking school equipment handover from AAI.
3rd grade classroom at Mohammed Tulawie Central Elementary with chairs and tables provided by AAI.
 Folk dancers at Sheik Mustafa Elementary, an AAI model school.
A 6th grade class at Port Area Elementary School.
Outdoor classroom for the 1st graders at the crowded Tanjung Elementary School.
Sewage running between classrooms at the overcrowded Tanjung Elementary School.
The livelihood teachers at the Jolo Fisheries High School who are creating entrepreneurial programs to sustain the education system.
Canned fish and fruits produced by students and teachers at the Jolo Fisheries High School through the AAI supported entrepreneurial project.
Yet to be developed facilities in the entrepreneurial food canning lab at the Jolo Fisheries High School.
"Believe that magic is still alive" in the 6th grade classroom.
The Philippine Navy assisting the AAI with transport of chairs and desks from the seaport of Zamboanga to Jolo.
Award ceremony for AAI's first group of "public service scholarship" recipients at Sulu High School in Jolo.
Erlinda Suleiman, Principal of Muhammed Tulawie Central Elementary, receiving an educational TV package.
Jolo health committee meeting at the Provincial Hospital.
Rural mud floor in Patikul public school located outside of Jolo, hometown to many Abu-Sayyaf leaders.
Badjao sea-gypsy children taught by Philippine Marines on Patikul beach -- the place where General MacArthur fled to Australia during World War II.
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