By Albert Santoli | Project leader
Following Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in November 2013, thousands of college students in the Visayas region faced a life-altering dilemna: Their homes and families' savings were devastated by the massive destruction caused by the flooding, storm surge tsunamis and raging 200 mph winds. They were doubtful they could afford to pay tuition and fees for graduation. A consortium of non-profit organizations and philanthropists, including Asia America Initiative, formed a network to assure that at least 30 to 40 scholars at Visayas University in Leyte could overcome their families' misfortune and finish their targeted graduation on schedule. The scholastic achievements of the Bright Future Scholars would be a morale booster and symbol of hope for their home communities.
Thanks to a little help to AAI from Global Giving donors, we assisted some 20 scholars graduate in the Spring of 2014. As we enter 2015, another 11 Bright Future seniors -- 7 females and 4 males -- at VSU are entering their final semester to qualify for bachelor of Science Degrees in Agriculture/ Botany; Chemistry; Finance, Civil Engineering and School Teaching.
In the recent Global Giving "Haiyan Matching Fund" campaign, AAIraised close to $200 which will assist 3 of the scholars to cover the cost of their final examinations required for graduation. The three students will be earning Bachelor of Science degrees in Agriculture, Education and Civil Engineering. All of these fields are vital for the long term rebuilding of storm-damaged communities.
Dr. Yolanda Ortega Stern, an education and community economics specialist is President of One World Institute, a consortium partner in the Bright Future Scholars program, She says, "The achievement of the scholars has been an inspiration to their families ansd communities, which are largely agriculture based. The support from people they have never met has inspired everyone in the surrounding communities where the scholars live to keep their heads held high and keep up their efforts to persevere in the wake of the storm. We are very grateful to all of our donors who have enabled us to keep our promises and sustain this academic effort."
On behalf of the Bright Futures team members and beneficiaries, we send our sincere appreciation and wish many blessings and happiness to all of our contributors in the New Year!
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