Drissa Doumbia had to wake up at 5am every day and walk to school. Often, he went without eating in order to make it to class on time. Drissa was struggling financially which made it very difficult to attend school. But with the help of Mali Rising’s Inspiration Scholarship, Drissa was able to buy a school uniform, a backpack, and notebooks. Now, he can eat at school, live in better conditions, and focus on doing well academically. Drissa is currently in his final year at El Niama High School in Niamakoro.
Dreaming of a Better Future
Drissa strongly believes in Nelson Mandela’s words:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
After graduation he wants to make a difference in his community by becoming a doctor. His dream is to build a large hospital in his village, which is far from Bamako, to provide quality healthcare for its people. Drissa also hopes to improve his community’s infrastructure by constructing roads, digging wells for clean water, and solving the lack of telecommunication networks in the area. If he can secure the necessary financial resources, he is determined to address these issues.
Mali Rising has done so much for Drissa and his fellow students. Drissa says, “They built our school and provided scholarships that have changed the lives of many children in Mali. I am deeply proud and endlessly grateful for their generosity. Thank you, Mali Rising, for helping me pursue my education and for supporting the dreams of children across Mali. With your support, I am one step closer to creating a brighter future for my village and beyond. Thank you for believing in me.”
