No girl should ever have to choose between managing her period and pursuing her dreams.

… “Before, when I had my period, I’d isolate myself both at school and at home,” Chatou explains. “I was so scared that the cloth might fall out or shift, or that my clothes would get stained. I’d miss three or four days of school each month and borrow my friends’ notebooks to catch up. But now, thanks to the hygiene kit from Mali Rising, I can attend class comfortably, even during my period.”

In Mali’s rural communities, education is more than just a path to personal success; it is a powerful tool for transforming entire villages. Two inspiring young leaders, Teninba Doumbia and Adama Bagayogo, show how alumni can give back and help ensure the next generation has an even better chance at success…

… “At first, I was ashamed and shy because I did not want my classmates to laugh at my answers or how I read sentences,” he explained. “But by the end of the course, I had overcome that shyness. Now, I feel much more confident in class, and the way I read texts and answer questions has really improved.”

…"Someday, I would love to lead an organization that helps young people in Francophone West Africa have better access to education." It was an answer that had been in my heart for years, shaped by my experiences working in the region and witnessing firsthand how transformative education can be. Little did I know, "someday" would be less than three months away.

At Mali Rising Foundation, we believe that learning should be engaging, interactive, and, most importantly, fun. One of the most effective and enjoyable ways for middle school students to learn is through group work. By working together in small groups, students can exchange ideas, collaborate on tasks, and reinforce their understanding in a supportive environment.

A strong community is built on shared responsibility, and the former students of Seguessona are leading by example. With the support of the Mali Rising Foundation, the alumni network organizes activities each year to encourage and motivate current students to stay in school. This month, they launched a clean-up day to create a cleaner, healthier learning environment for all.

Every girl deserves the opportunity to dream big and build a future that excites her. Through the Girls Project at Mali Rising, we are committed to keeping girls in school and helping them explore career paths that align with their passions and aspirations. One of the ways we do this is by bringing accomplished women from various professions into classrooms to share their journeys and inspire young minds.

We are excited to introduce Lisa Hudson as the new Executive Director of Mali Rising! With a strong passion for education, community development, and global collaboration, Lisa brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to creating a brighter future for the students of Mali.