Effects of Poverty and Trauma on Children Begins in the Womb

In our peace building programs going on in the war zones of Mindanao, Philippines, AAI stresses the importance of trauma counseling among all residents. Whether children or adults, the cycles of violence and self-destructive behavior can only be altered with a full community commitment to healing on personal, family and societal levels. In his recent column in the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof added an extra biological dimension. This involves lingering effects of trauma in high poverty and violence-plagued communities. Scientists have found that chemical, ecological, and biological effects on a pregnant woman can cause her children to be detrimentally effected with life-long consequences even while they are in her womb. These new discoveries reinforce the need for integrated health and nutrition programs for expectant mothers and children. We are helping to support this healing processes through AAI's Development for Peace programs -- Al Santoli

At Risk From the Womb

The New York Times

By Nicholas D. Kristof

October 2, 2010

Some people think we’re shaped primarily by genes. Others believe that the environment we grow up in is most important. But now evidence is mounting that a third factor is also critical: our uterine environment before we’re even born.

Researchers are finding indications that obesity, diabetes and mental illness among adults are all related in part to what happened in the womb decades earlier.

Stress in mothers seems to have particularly strong effects on their offspring, perhaps through release of cortisol, a hormone released when a person is anxious. Studies show that children who were in utero during the Arab-Israeli Six-Day War of 1967 were more likely to have schizophrenia diagnosed as adults. And The Journal of the American Medical Association reported that Chinese born during the terrible famine from 1959 to 1961 were twice as likely to develop schizophrenia as those born at other times.

To Read Full Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/opinion/03kristof.html?ref=opinion

Link to AAI's trauma counseling gallery:

http://www.asiaamerica.org/gallery/december2008/default.html

Building Peace: One School at A Time

As war and sectarian violence rage across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, in the Philippines a new Presidential Administration brings hope for an expedited peace process between Christians and Muslims.
In Manila, the Muslim population has rapidly increased to an estimated two and a half million. Many families live in overcrowded encampments in blighted urban areas, overwhelmed by illegal drugs, especially meth-amphetamines that originate in China.
Asia America Initiative’s Catalyst for Peace inter-faith young professionals and volunteer college students conducted a Peace Caravan at Camp Crame Elementary School on the National Police Headquarters. The children who attend include children of police officers, as well as Christian and Muslim children from the “squatter” communities just outside the compound’s locked gate. In addition, students from the Islamic Studies, Call and Guidance school in Cavite attended.
The purpose of the Peace Caravan is to build solidarity and lasting friendships. The goal is to create leaders of the future who will promote and maintain peace.

JOURNEY FOR PEACE

The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,000 islands divided by cultural and religious affiliations. Inter-cultural rivalries have created discrimination, disenfranchisement, poverty and armed conflict. Muslim Mindanao region is known to many as a war zone and a land consumed by chaos. The key to breaking cycles of violence is in proper education, including trauma counseling for the youth and interaction between children of various Faiths.

Throughout 2009, AAI’s “Journey to Peace” has been bringing together hundreds of Christian and Muslim students for the first time in their lives. This inter-faith dialogue instills lifelong values of respect for human rights, inter-religious understanding and appreciation of people of every religion and culture.

Using public schools as venues, we create a safe environment for children who come from the “best” and the “worst” private and public schools in Manila, ranging from 2nd grade to early College students. Sharing personal or group experiences, they become compassionate role models to heal and unite the nation. And an example for similar communities in many areas of the world. AAI’s Peace Caravans are supported by the Bishops and Ulema Conference, the Philippine Armed Forces, Ayala Young Leaders Alliance, the Education Alliance, Center for Moderate Islam, Skills and Livelihood Alliance, Young Moro Professionals Network, Youth Alliance Philippines, Peace Talks Philippines, REFUGE, Starfish Magazine, EDSA [Catholic] Shrine, AAI Catalysts for Peace, the National Youth Commission, Haven Crest Media, Assumption College and the Philippine Department of Education.

Muslim, Christian children join peace projec

By EDD K. USMAN

Manila Bulletin

August 22, 2010, 3:43pm

The Manila Jaycees, Inc. (MJI), in partnership with the Asia America Initiative (AAI), joined the effort to foster understanding, respect among Christian and Muslim children in an event called "Building a Culture of Peace" in Makati City.

MJI and AAI invited about 60 Christian and Muslim children aged nine to 12 to participate in the project that occurred on a Ramadan day.

Their adult facilitators also taught them about the Islam's holy month.

Muslim children came from the Islamic community surrounding the Golden Mosque in Globo de Oro Street, while their counterpart Christian boys and girls were from the Herminigildo J. Atienza (Baseco) Elementary School in Tondo, Manila.

JCI's Laurence Ching, and chairman of the group's "Building a Culture of Peace Project," said it was the first time JCI organized such an event.

“JCI created the project after we learned of AAI's 'Caravan of Peace' program. JCI thought it was a good opportunity to come in and partner with AAI in trying to build peace among the children by planting in them understanding and respect," said Ching.

“If the young Christian and Muslim kids understand each other, then they will respect each other," he said.

Bai Rohaniza M. Sumndad-Usman, AAI country director for the Philippines, cited the significance of the program with JCI, in which the Binibining Universidad Peace Emissaries, Inc. (BUPEI), also participated.

“In Asia America Initiative, we want to emphasize the importance of building a culture of peace, especially with the young. I personally believe that in order to break the cycle of violence, we have to teach and guide the different generations on how they can be catalysts for peace themselves,” she said.