This year, I am helping to pilot a new Mali Rising project – Alumni Networks. The goal of these networks is to foster connections between our schools’ graduates and the students attending their schools now. I recently met with Alumni Network members at our school in Sequessona – Jade & Gabe Mellor Middle School and asked them to share their thoughts about the Alumni Network experience so far.
Alumni Networks for Mali Rising Schools
One key issue in any international development project is sustainability — how do you make sure a project is something a local community wants and is willing and able to support. Over the last 16 years of our work, the partner villages we work with have really driven our work and kept every school we’ve built with them functioning. But there is always room for improvement, and that’s where the new Alumni Networks come in!
Turning a Sewing Machine Into a Bright Future
This fall, Awa L. Toure received an Inspiration Scholarship from the Mali Rising Foundation. These scholarships are designed to help our most outstanding students continue their education and build independent, bright futures for themselves. Awa is already on the road to her dream future at tailor school!
Escaping from Early Marriage Thanks to a Scholarship
Nursing Graduate Goes On To Help Others
Become a Monthly Sustainer
Mariam is Off to College
Education Helps No Matter Where Life Takes You
In Mali, as in many African countries, the problem of youth employability is acute. After completing their vocational trainings and university studies, young people face employment problems. To cope with this challenge, many young people try to find alternative employment to make ends meet. But no matter where life takes you, education is a great tool to have ready.
Djeneba Sews A Better Life
Djeneba Samake is very ambitious and always dreams big. She graduated in 2019 from Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Learn for Life Academy. Since she was in the middle school, Djeneba dreamed of becoming a tailor, but she wondered how she could achieve this as she comes from a very poor family. Luckily, after graduation Mali Rising donors granted Djeneba an Inspiration Scholarship. This scholarship allowed her to enroll in the Centre Ahawani in Ouelessebougou, a three-year professional tailor program
