YES Alumni Association Philippines

📰 The First-Ever Newsletter is HERE! 🎉

Hey, , friends, and supporters! We’ve got some exciting news—our very first YES Alumni Association Philippines newsletter is officially out! 🎊 This is more than just a newsletter; it’s a celebration of our collective impact, a showcase of our amazing projects, and a space to reconnect with the YES family.

Packed with inspiring stories, big wins, and highlights from January to December 2024, this issue is all about the passion, dedication, and unstoppable energy of YES alumni across the Philippines. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, updates, or just want to relive some awesome moments, this is for YOU!

We’re more than just a network—we’re a movement. And by sharing our stories, we hope to spark even more action, collaboration, and change — turning our 💡✨

🔥 Ready to dive in? Check out the full newsletter here:

https://online.fliphtml5.com/qcppt/xlne/

Downloadable content:

https://bit.ly/4gneX9q

💬 What are you most excited to read about? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! ⬇️

Youth Exchange and Study (YES) U.S. Embassy in the Philippines AFS Intercultural Programs Philippines

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞! ✊

As part of the pilot episode of 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐛𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐲𝐚's Digital Justice series, we will explore the critical topic of Gender-Based Violence ⚖️—shedding light on how technology can both hinder and enhance efforts to address this issue.

🎙️ Speaker:
𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐲. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐧𝐚 𝐄𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐚
💪 Founder, Urduja Inc.
🎓 Alumna, Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program
⚖️ Advocate Against Gender-Based Violence

Join the conversation on 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 (𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲) at 𝟗:𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐌 in the Fulbright Philippines office as we discuss community-driven solutions and the role of legal and social systems in promoting safety and equality both online and offline. 💡
𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐮𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/PODBOKASIYAEP1

𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢 𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐡 𝐂. 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐥 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩

Congratulations to Raisah C. Guiamadil, YES Alumna (Batch 2011-2012, hosted in Arizona), for being awarded the prestigious Australia Awards Scholarship, pursuing her Master of Environmental Management at The University of Queensland, Australia.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

Beauty Found in Education: Project Lingkat Launches in ZAMBASUL

Project Lingkat: Liwanag ng Katutubo, led by the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) Alumni, brought essential school supplies and renewed hope to three of the most remote schools in Zamboanga, Basilan, and Sulu. This initiative aimed to uplift indigenous students and their families, demonstrating the team’s commitment to overcoming challenges and making a meaningful impact.

September 21, 2024
The journey began in Simeon Josefa Elementary School in Basilan, where 70 AFS bags and books were delivered despite the logistical challenges of reaching this remote island school.

September 25, 2024
At Monte Central Indigenous People Elementary School in Patalon, volunteers braved a demanding 45-minute uphill mountainous hike to reach 70 students and their families. The distribution of 70 AFS bags, interactive activities, and the establishment of the Lingkat Corner mini-library showcased the project’s goal of promoting education and literacy in underserved communities.

September 27, 2024
The final leg took the team to Badjao Elementary School in Sulu, a community known for its rich sea-faring traditions. Seventy AFS bags were distributed to students bridging gaps between marginalized communities and essential resources.

In total, Project Lingkat distributed 210 AFS bags, impacting 210 students across the mountains, islands, and seas of ZAMBASUL.

Beyond material contributions, this initiative stood as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of youth-led efforts and the enduring spirit of bayanihan.

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to the KL-YES Alumni, local volunteers, and community partners whose unwavering dedication made this project possible. Together, we have shown that no community is too distant and no challenge too great when education and empowerment are at the forefront of our mission. The beauty of education knows no bounds— no mountains, islands, and seas are exempt from this.

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧!

New year, new opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together across cultures. 🌍✨ Here's to celebrating diversity and building bridges in 2025.

Cheers to a brighter, united future! 🎉🤝

We LISTEN and We don't JUDGE 👀 (YES edition)

[𝐀𝐋𝐔𝐌𝐍𝐈 𝐎𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓!]

AFS USA is once again organizing the much-anticipated YES Alumni Changemaker Workshop, set to take place in March 2025.

This workshop is an incredible opportunity for alumni to come together, exchange ideas, and develop impactful solutions to address pressing social issues within their communities. It serves as a platform to empower and inspire changemakers like you, equipping you with tools and strategies to create meaningful and sustainable initiatives.

Access the application form through this link https://tinyurl.com/2mykukjb

Warm wishes from YAAP! 🎄✨

May your holidays be filled with joy, peace, and meaningful connections. Here’s to a season of growth and new beginnings!

The Youth Exchange & Study Program (YES) Alumni Philippines proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of Fatima Marwa Alih Fadzlulkarim, CPA (Batch 14) and Hannan Datu-Imam, CPA (Batch 16) for successfully passing the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Exam.

Their success reflects not only their hard work and dedication but also the spirit of excellence and perseverance that the YES program fosters among its alumni. Fatima and Hannan’s accomplishments stand as an inspiration to the entire YES community, showcasing what can be achieved through determination and passion.

The YES Alumni Philippines community extends its heartfelt congratulations to Fatima and Hannan as they embark on the next chapter of their professional journey. May their achievements continue to inspire and pave the way for others to follow.

Halal Industry Forum Explores New Frontiers for Business Growth

ILIGAN CITY, PHILIPPINES — On December 14, 2024, industry leaders, entrepreneurship and marketing students, muslim association and government officials gathered at the Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) for “Becoming a Sustainable Halalpreneur: A Community Forum on Halal Industry and Its Possibilities.” The forum, funded by the US Embassy in Manila through the 2024 US-PH Alumni Meet Small Grants Program, was organized by the YES Alumni Association Philippines (YAAP) and co-funded by YES Program, with support from USGAA Iligan and Lanao del Norte, Hubert H. Humphrey Alumni Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Halal Industry Development Office, and the Junior Entrepreneurship and Marketing Society of MSU-IIT.

The event spotlighted the potential of the Halal industry as a driver of sustainable economic development in the Philippines. Mr. Raison Arobinto, Halal Industry Division Chief at DTI, represented Aleem Guiapal, DTI’s Halal Industry Development Program Manager, and detailed the government’s roadmap for transforming the Halal sector into a globally competitive industry.

Ms. Jessie Nikita Uybaan from TUFIFSA Lanao del Sur provided a deeper understanding of Halal from an Islamic perspective, while Ms. Sittie Aisah Balt, founder of Kakaw Meranaw, shared how she’s working her Halal-certified business into a thriving enterprise while preserving Maranao cultural heritage.

Project Head and YAAP Vice-President for Advocacy and Projects Jorjani Sinsuat underscored the forum’s mission to inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs. “The Halal industry is set to transform the future of Mindanao and the Philippines. By empowering entrepreneurs to seize this opportunity, we are on the brink of a new era of prosperity that will elevate our nation’s economy and position the Philippines as a global leader in the Halal market,” Sinsuat added.

The forum ended with a renewed commitment from participants to harness the economic and cultural potential of the Halal industry. It provided an essential platform for knowledge-sharing, business development, and fostering collaborations to ensure the Philippines takes its place in the global Halal market.

U.S. International Exchange Alumni- Philippines
Youth Exchange and Study (YES)

The Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program Alumni Association Philippines proudly celebrates the success of five alumni who have passed the 2024 Bar Examination held last September.

Atty. Jemima B. Landong from Batch 2, Atty. Najat Hashim from Batch 4, Atty. Natasha Omar Amin from Batch 5, Atty. Sittie Alnahar G**o from Batch 7, and Atty. Mark Barraquias from Batch 10 have all demonstrated exceptional dedication, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.

Their achievements reflect not only their individual hard work but also the values of leadership and service upheld by the YES Program. They serve as an inspiration to the entire YES Alumni community and current scholars alike.

We extend our warmest congratulations to our newly admitted attorneys and wish them continued success as they embark on their legal careers. The YES Program Philippines is proud to honor their accomplishments.

YES Alumnus Jorjani, Receives Outstanding Volunteer 2024 Award from PNVSCA

Jorjani Sinsuat, a proud alumni of the Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program Philippines Batch 8, has been awarded the prestigious Outstanding Volunteer 2024 recognition by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Currently serving as the Vice President of the YES Alumni Association Philippines (YAAP), Jorjani exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism. Through his unwavering commitment to various advocacy initiatives, he has played a pivotal role in promoting peacebuilding, community development, and social harmony. His dedication to supporting positive change has made a significant impact, particularly in his efforts to uplift and empower marginalized communities.

This esteemed award highlights Jorjani’s exceptional contributions to volunteerism and his ongoing work in fostering unity, cooperation, and progress within his community and beyond.