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It's Our 20th Birthday!

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By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

We don’t feel a day over sweet sixteen, but Mali Rising turns 20 this year! We can hardly believe it. What started as the vague but generous urge to “do some good” in the world among a small group of people is now a fully adult venture. Twenty-eight schools built, twenty-eight strong village partnerships fostered, and thousands of students sent out into the world with the toolbox of education.

For our 20th anniversary, Mali Rising is planning a year’s worth of celebration and fun. We will look back at what we’ve learned and dream big about the future. We’ll celebrate our amazing partners in the villages and give thanks to the supporters who have made the last 20 years possible.

Each month we will put a school or two in the spotlight and look at what that school has meant to Malians. Each quarter, we will host a free, online event to help you explore our work and Mali’s culture, and to get involved in our work yourself. Over the summer and fall, we’ll host several in-person events both in the US and in Mali to connect everyone and celebrate together.

And we have a few other fun tricks up our sleeves to make sure we do our 20th anniversary in style…so stay tuned. If you don’t follow us on Facebook or Instagram, please do so to celebrate with us. Also, sign up for our very first birthday event: Do Good: Ways to Volunteer with Mali Rising.

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Teachers Connect Through Soccer

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We want our teachers to get to know each other, so they can help each other and work together. to help with these connections, Mali Rising Foundation recently organized a soccer tournament for the teachers of our eight schools in the Baguineda area. Thirty-two teachers came together for some fun and bonding at the tournament.

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A Future Nurse, Thanks to Our Supporters

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It is sad to see here in Mali, but all to often early (or even child) marriage prevents many girls from continuing their education. However, times are changing in Mali. Some families wait longer for marriage, and even when marriage does occur it doesn’t always have to mean that a young women’s education is over. An example of this change comes from Salimata Sissao, a Mali Rising alumni. Here is her story in her own words…

French for Dowelé

One of the biggest obstacles students in Mali face is language. Although students in our villages grow up hearing and speaking their local language (Bambara), school is taught in French. In primary school students are « eased » into French instruction, but by 7th grade all classes are taught in French. So, if you haven’t learned French by then you are often just out of luck! That’s where Mali Rising’s FLIP campaign comes in.

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Sewing for a Better Future

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Clothing has always had an important place in our society and in our African communities. Through textiles, we tell a story and we highlight the culture of a country. For the young women we work with in Mali, creating clothing can also be a path to an independent future! How is that possible you ask ? For young women (and men too !) become a tailor is a respectable job in Mali and it allows you to be your own boss. This makes it an attractive dream for many of our students. Bana is one such student.

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Reading Opens Doors for Girls

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Mali Rising’s Girls’ Project is focused on helping girls get into school and succeed there. One key to success in school? Reading abilities! That’s where our Great Girls Read sessions come into play. Great Girls Read reading sessions are designed to help the girls improve their reading skills and find real pleasure in reading.

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Lakanan's Dream of Becoming a Police Officer

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Earlier this month I traveled to the Sikasso region, where a group of our most far-flung schools needed our attention. I traveled there to do a big training with the local teachers; my colleague Hindaty went to do some work with the schools’ girls. While I was there, I had the chance to talk with some students about their time in school. Today, I would like to share the story of Lakanan, who attends the Eagle Environmental Academy, and dreams of becoming a police officer.

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