What We Do

Arnel Pineda Foundation Inc. “APFI”

Sponsorship creates futures for deserving kids! Let the words of gratitude from our 3 newest college graduates show you how much their sponsors mean to them! A special thank you goes out to the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES. Your generosity has made it possible for Ed Carlo, Chery Anne, and Mark Wilson to achieve their dreams! AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.

American Association Scholarships

Purpose

The AAP believes that the key to becoming a developed nation is to invest in education. Our program is open for three (3) educational levels: elementary, high school and college. The assistance that we provide is in the form of tuition or enrollment fees, provision of basic school supplies, and monthly allowance for elementary and high school students to cover the cost of transportation and school projects. The American Association of the Philippines awards scholarships particularly to poor Filipino-American children who were left behind by American servicemen.

Criteria

The students eligible for assistance must be a graduating high school senior who resides in the Philippines and intends to continue their college or university education. Consideration will be given to academic achievement, financial need and the student’s community service record. Students will be selected through the AAP recommendation process.

Financial Aid grantees are selected on the basis of:

1. financial need as clearly evident in the Scholarship/Financial Aid Questionnaire

2. intellectual ability and proven consistent academic performance

3. service to the community and potential for greater service in the future.

GRANT

The scholarship grant will cover Php 50,000 for the scholar’s tuition fees, miscellaneous fees, book allowance, and living expenses.

Rh Negative Blood Drive for Americans

Purpose

One of the rarest blood types in the world is the Rh negative blood type (O-, A-, B-, AB-), a blood group that lacks the Rh protein. Rh negative blood is commonly found in people with caucasian descents. Given the rarity of this blood type, the AAP seeks to give assistance to people who may need this blood for medical operations by helping them find blood donors that are compatible with their blood type.

Criteria

In order to avail of this assistance, kindly present the following:

1. Medical certification from consulting physician regarding the need for Rh negative blood

2. Official ID

The beneficiary should then get in touch through our secretary, Shalie Recaido, through phone number (02) 892-5198, fax number 867-1689 or via e-mail at info@americanassociation.org.ph.

ASSISTANCE

Once the beneficiary has contacted the AAP, the association will then outsource Rh negative blood for the beneficiary.

The American Historical Collection

Purpose

As an act to preserve the history between the Americans and the Filipino people, the AAP stewards the American Historical Collection as it aims to be the carrier of the American culture in the Philippines.

The American Historical Collection is a research library containing over 18,000 books, 16,000 rare photographs, numerous documents and other memorabilia from the American era (1898-1946). The US Library of Congress called it “a unique and priceless collection.” The American Historical Collection foundation highlights material from the collection in a bi-annual publication called “The Bulletin,” which is available by subscription. The articles are either personal or scholarly and on subjects that have some relevance to Philippine-U.S. relation

Many of the library’s materials are on microfilm and fiches, films, and audio tapes. It is recognized as the most comprehensive compilation of such material anywhere in the Philippines, drawing researchers from here and abroad. The collection is housed in Rizal Library at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City. The library can be found online at:  http://rizal.lib.admu.edu.ph/ahc

Indigent American-Filipino Assistance Program

Purpose

As part of its goal to help fellow Americans and Filipinos, the AAP assists indigent people in need through the following services:

• Repatriation

Repatriation is AAP’s ultimate goal for all its beneficiaries. The program is geared towards getting them to the US for work and experience a more decent living. American travelers who are in genuine need of financial assistance in returning to the US are also considered for this program. AAP works in coordination with the US Embassy’s American Citizens Services Branch.

AAP shoulders subsistence fees while repatriation is being processed as well as payment of immigration fees and a plane ticket. These services are only given once the eligibility of the person for assistance is established. Further, potential clients especially those born and raised in the Philippines are being prepared psychologically and socially, as deemed necessary for their adjustment to the US.

• Documentation

Since majority of our clients belong to families of lower socio-economic status, from far-flung areas and are not aware of their rights, AAP helps educate these families of their rights. These children may be eligible for US Citizenship, Child Support, Immigrant Visas, Social Security Benefits and other application claims which AAP tries to work on on their behalf.

Assistance is in the form of securing pertinent documents, acting as an “agent”, and doing follow-ups on their respective cases.

• Assistance to Prisoners

Recognizing the person’s innate worth and dignity, AAP reaches out to incarcerated Americans in the Philippines. AAP conducts prison visits along with US Embassy representatives to provide material aid and legal assistance, as deemed necessary.

You can help the AAP by donating reading materials such as magazines and books, as well as used clothing and other items. AAP also accepts old newspapers and directories for the prisoners’ livelihood program. 

• Christmas Baskets

Every Christmas season, AAP prepares Christmas baskets for its beneficiaries – indigent American citizens and their dependents. These beneficiaries receive Christmas baskets from our donors – cash or in-kind donations. AAP also prepares individual gifts for its child beneficiaries. For most of them, the baskets are all they have for Christmas, so we want them to be as special as possible. 

The event is highlighted by an interview of AAP Board members to our beneficiaries, in an aim to learn more about their plight, and how AAP assistance can help them.

During this time, AAP also reaches out to a number of American prisoners as well as patients in hospitals all over the Philippines.

• Temporary Food and Pension Vouchers

This assistance is being provided to families/individuals who have weak physical condition, where working is deemed to be difficult, and no other members of the family and relatives provide for their needs. Families with younger children normally receive this assistance as these children are in the critical period of their development where they need proper nourishment and care.

AAP keeps a revolving fund for pension vouchers and food coupons for needy Americans who may appeal for food, medicine and temporary lodging. These coupons are forwarded to the US Embassy at their disposal.

Community Missions

Dental Missions

Oral disease continues to be a problem in the country's public health. According to the Department of Health, 92.4% of Filipinos have tooth decay and 78% have gum diseases. What is alarming is that most of the Filipinos who suffered are children.

In partnership with American and Filipino dental hygienists and dentists, the AAP seeks to give free dental services and oral medicine to the less fortunate communities thereby improving their oral health. We always believe that every Filipino deserves a genuine smile.

Medical Missions

According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines has made progress in investing in health advancement but there remains the high cost of healthcare access. This is especially true in impoverished communities where most of the people cannot afford even the basic health services.

In response to this public health problem, the AAP sponsored medical missions to provide these communities with essential medical services in partnership with Filipino and American medical professionals. These services include free consultations and administration of medical treatment. We always believe that a healthy Filipino will lead to a more developed Philippines.

Other Initiatives

The American Association of the Philippines constantly reaches out to the community and local population alike through various social welfare initiatives. Our corporate and individual initiatives make sure that we get all the bases covered.

We consider ourselves as the leading non-governmental organization in the American expat community that aims to promote friendship between Americans and Filipinos as well as providing the finest social and cultural event for the expatriate community. As one of the oldest American charitable organizations in the Philippines, our outreach program goes beyond medical and social assistance initiatives but also a platform to encourage greater cooperation between Americans and Filipinos.

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