USAID Provides Typhoon-Stricken School with Classrooms, Computers

USAID Provides Typhoon-Stricken School with Classrooms, Computers

On December 16, Tropical Storm Washi made landfall in Mindanao and brought heavy rains that caused massive flooding in 13 provinces of northern Mindanao including the cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. As part of its continuing assistance to the victims, USAID rehabilitated a two-classroom building at the Iligan City East High School, one of the schools severely damaged by Washi. USAID provided 450 new student desks, computer tables and chairs, reference materials, and teacher and student supplies. USAID also granted 10 computers to replace the previous equipment provided by the Mission that were destroyed by the flooding. The assistance will help students continue their studies and restore a sense of normalcy to assist in their recovery from the disaster.
USAID Assistance in ARMM Increases Number of Adult Neo-literates to 26,023, 81%

USAID Assistance in ARMM Increases Number of Adult Neo-literates to 26,023, 81% of the Beneficiaries are Muslim Women

USAID’s Literacy for Peace and Development (LIPAD) Project held a graduation ceremony last November at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City for the 1,287 neo-literates from the participating municipalities of Lanao Del Sur. The project teaches literacy in five major Muslim groups in the ARMM and places literacy and education at the center of creating significant improvements in an individual such as poverty alleviation, economic empowerment, health, human rights, conflict-resolution, and peace building. Key local government officials and other community leaders attended the ceremony, signifying their commitment to scale-up the initiative and further increase the number of adult literates in ARMM. Implemented in partnership with The Magbassa Kita Foundation Inc. (MKFI) and the Mindanao State University and Regional Council for Bangsamoro Women, the project will also provide women neo-literates and community facilitators training on human rights for women Muslims in Maguindanao.
USAID’s Education Program for Children with Disabilities Garners Support in Mind

USAID’s Education Program for Children with Disabilities Garners Support in Mindanao

Local officials, teachers and parents expressed their commitment to support the education of children with disabilities (CWDs) through USAID’s Access to Education for People with Disabilities project in General Santos City. On March 6-7, USAID conducted an orientation on Disability and Inclusive Education that was attended by more than 80 teachers from three target schools. The participants learned about specific disabilities common in children and gained a deeper understanding of the educational needs and rights of CWDs. With the support of the local officials of Barangay Dadiangas North, the project also provided an orientation on disability to eight volunteer community workers who identified 26 CWDs. Moreover, the local officials set up an area at the health center as a focal point where parents brought their CWDs for an initial assessment. A regulation will also be prepared by the local officials to support inclusive education.
USAID Partnerships Build New Classrooms in Sulu and Basilan

USAID Partnerships Build New Classrooms in Sulu and Basilan

USAID has leveraged a range of partnerships to address the shortage of classrooms identified by the Philippines Department of Education. Working with the Petron Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of one of the country’s largest petroleum companies, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Joint Operations Task Force-Philippines, USAID recently constructed five school buildings in conflict hotspots in Sulu and Basilan provinces. U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie Bassett and USAID Deputy Mission Director Reed Aeschliman led the formal handover in Malamawi, Basilan. The schools will also have improved water supply and sanitation facilities through USAID’s Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy Program-Phase III. Through its Education Quality and Access for Learning and Livelihood Skills 2 (EQuALLS2) program, USAID has constructed a total of 120 classrooms.
USAID Builds 590 Classrooms

USAID Builds 590 Classrooms

Classroom inadequacy, among other educational challenges, is acute in poverty and conflict-affected Mindanao communities. On October 27, 2011, USAID Deputy Mission Director Reed Aeschliman and other USAID officials turned over a new 2-classroom building to the community of Presa Elementary school in Zamboanga City, part of more than 590 classrooms built or refurbished by USAID in partnership with local company Petron Corporation. USAID through its EQuALLS2 project also trained teachers in math, science and English; capacitated PTAs; and provided alternative learning and livelihood skills to thousands of out of school youth in these marginalized communities.