By: Andrea Lewis, Mali Rising Board Member

As many of us in the United States gear up for the holiday season, there's a different kind of hustle and bustle happening in the village of Heremakono, Mali. Crews are working around the clock to build a new school that promises to change the lives of children in this rural community. And the progress? It's truly inspiring.

Construction began on November 4th, and just six weeks later, the building is already more than 70% complete! Iron bars are now in place on the roof, and by December 20th, the team was planning to install the sheets of iron. The doors and windows have arrived, and the classroom doors are already in position. Meanwhile, work on the toilets has begun, and half of the interior and exterior wall plastering has been completed including the Principal’s office.

It's impressive how quickly things are moving along. A typical school construction project in Mali takes just about 8 weeks from start to finish. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the teams on the ground, as well as the incredible efficiency with which these schools are built. Even more remarkable is the cost—building a school in Mali is far less expensive than one might expect, yet the impact is immeasurable. With relatively small investments, we can provide a huge opportunity for local children, opening doors to education that they might not otherwise have.

This new school is the 29th one funded by the Mali Rising Foundation, and it's located in the village of Heremakono. Currently, the village has a primary school serving around 370 children each year, but after 6th grade, the educational path becomes much more difficult. The nearest middle school is a grueling 6 km (just under 4 miles) away—an obstacle that many children can’t overcome.

The challenge is even greater for girls. In addition to long walks to school, children in Mali often have significant work obligations at home, and the journey can be dangerous—especially for girls who face additional risks. As a result, nearly 65% of children in Heremakono drop out of school before reaching middle school.

But now, thanks to the generosity and support of people like you, the children of Heremakono will have a much easier—and safer—path to education. This new school will allow them to continue their studies without the long, treacherous walk, giving them a real chance at a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more updates as construction progresses. We're excited to see this school come to life and, more importantly, to witness the lasting impact it will have on the children of Heremakono. If you'd like to learn more about how you can support this effort, consider joining the Builders’ Society, a community of dedicated supporters helping to fund these life-changing projects.