During the summer of 2013, the Datu Unsay Elementary School and adjacent military base were attacked with mortars and machine-gun fire by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), a terrorist organization located in the heart of Mindanao Island, Philippines. Luckily, the attack took place when there weren’t any students present, but the damage to the school was extensive. Mortars completely destroyed some of the school’s structures and left other buildings unfit to serve the 1000 students who attended classes there.

The United States Embassy has identified the school as being in a Conflict Affected Area and as such, a priority for them. During a trip to the island, Chris Clary met with members of the US Army team and the Philippine 6th CMO who were working together to find a way to repair the school, get the students back in class, and improve security in the region.

The recent murder of 44 police officers on the island by BIFF reinforced the importance of working to improve security through strengthened relationships between the US and Philippine military and local population. With your support, Spirit of America will be able to provide the supplies needed for the residents of the town and the military unit to repair holes in the walls and roofs of the three salvageable structures and get students back into the classrooms.