By Merritt Frey, Executive Director
Thanks to you, Sankama's eager primary school students will now be able to stay in school after 6th grade!
After help from high school students, walkers, the Trujillo family, our Builders Society, support from the Pete and Arline Harman Trust, and many others, we are pleased to announce we are ready to begin construction on a new school for the children of Sankama in southern Mali!
In the tiny village of Sankama, after 6th grade the children faced a choice -- walk to the nearest middle schools (3 and 6 miles away) or drop out. Given the length of the walk, safety concerns, and their chore responsibilities at home, more than 90% of the children dropped out. Learn more about Sankama and its students.
But thanks to our donors, starting this fall that will change! We have partnered with the parents and elders in Sankama to build a middle school right next door to the primary school. Village children will be saved hours of walking each day, and dropout rates will reflect that new reality.
Next week, we will draw the name of the winner in the school's naming rights contest. Anyone who donated $100 or more is entered to win naming rights of the school. Stay tuned for news of the winner...
