Hope Grant Recipient Launches Cattle Business
By Fatoumata Kone, Operations Coordinator
Fousseyni is a smart Mali Rising graduate. Using a Mali Rising Hope Grant, he has launched a small business focused on the most vibrant sector of Mali’s economy: agriculture.
Meet Fousseyni Diakité, a 22-year-old from Sebela. Fousseyni graduated from Tim Gibson Middle School in Sebela and now attends the IPR Agricultural School in Katibougou, Koulikoro region, where he is studying animal production. Thanks to a new Hope Grant from Mali Rising Foundation’s donors, he is already starting his livestock business.
From a young age, Fousseyni assisted his parents with livestock farming in his village, a hands-on experience that instilled in him a passion for the field. “Since childhood, I’ve been raising livestock alongside my parents, so I mastered this trade early on. When I was in high school, I decided that after earning my diploma, I would pursue agricultural studies,” Fousseyni shares.
After passing his baccalaureate, Fousseyni applied to the agricultural school at IPR in Katibougou and was admitted. During school breaks, he returned home to continue raising cattle, sheep, and goats. Despite his passion and skills, he faced a significant obstacle: financial resources to start his own livestock business.
That’s when Mali Rising Foundation entered the picture. Fousseyni recalls, “I was surprised and thrilled when Mali Rising contacted me for an interview for the Hope Grant. Later, I learned that I had been awarded the grant. I was so happy! The day I received the grant funds, I couldn’t contain my joy. The very next day, I bought a cow to start a cattle fattening business.”
Cattle fattening is a livestock practice that focuses on accelerating animal weight gain, making them more marketable and profitable. Fousseyni explains, “It’s a method we learned at school, and I already had experience with it from my village. Now, I plan to teach this skill to my younger brothers who didn’t have the opportunity to attend school but share my passion for livestock farming. My goal is to modernize livestock farming in my village and become a leading producer.”
Fousseyni credits the Hope Grant for helping him achieve this milestone. “The initiative Mali Rising has put in place to support its alumni is incredible. Many young people like me have big dreams but lack the financial means to realize them. I thank the donors of Mali Rising for helping me create my own business.”
By empowering youth like Fousseyni, Mali Rising Foundation is planting seeds of hope and progress, enabling the next generation to shape their futures and strengthen their communities.