Awa Sylla is a a bright, motivated, and courageous young woman from the rural village of Dovong in Mali. Awa recently graduated from the Entrepreneurs Organization Academy in her hometown and is now completing her senior year in the TSCO track at Kadiolo Public High School. Passionate about education, Awa’s story is one of resilience and hope, and I am excited to share it with you.
Hope Grant Recipient Launches Cattle Business
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.
New Hope Grants Make Change
Mohamed Makes the Most of His Scholarship
At Mali Rising, we believe in the power of education to open doors and change lives. One example of this belief in action is the story of Mohamed Samake, a young man from Mali Rising’s Trujillo Family School who received an Inspiration Scholarship to continue his education after graduating. With his scholarship, Mohamed decided to pursue a degree in electromechanics at the ESTB Vocational School in Bougouni. For Mohamed, this scholarship has been a lifeline.
A Hope Grant Recipients Celebrates
The Mali Rising Foundation has introduced a new initiative, the Hope Grant, aimed at empowering its former students to create their own businesses and avoid unemployment. This scholarship will help many individuals turn their dreams into reality through small micro-grants for alumni with a great business idea. This year, we are piloting the Hope Grants with 10 deserving alumni. One particularly joyful recipient is Tenin Doumbia, a young woman from Diorila. Tenin attended Mali Rising’s Sue Taylor Middle School in Diorila.
Back to School Volunteer Opprotunity!
As summer winds down here in the U.S., I know the back to school energy is high. As we head back to school, how about spending a little volunteer time making sure the return to school is special for some students in Mali? Join the Notes of Encouragement effort to do just that!
Turning An Education Into An Orchard
The power of education is that it gives people freedom and choice -- the freedom to dream big and the choice of how to build a better life. Some people will use their education to go to medical school, while some will use it go to college and become a teacher. And here in Mali – where agriculture is the largest part of our economy – many will use their education to learn the skills to launch an agricultural business. This is the path chosen by Mali Rising graduate, Bakary Koné.
A Scholar Moves On To High School
Mali Rising offers scholarships to our most outstanding graduates to help them continue their education in high school or vocational school. We call these Inspiration Scholarships, because they not only help the individual students who receive them but also inspire students still in school to study hard to pursue a scholarship themselves. I recently had the chance to talk to one of our Inspiration Scholars about what the scholarship meant for her.
Alumni Paying it Forward
One of my favorite parts of my job is coordinating a newish project for Mali Rising Foundation — our Alumni Networks. These networks bring together graduates from our schools and support them as the work to help their school and inspire current students to stay in school and study hard. This was my first year with the Alumni Networks, and I had a great wrap up discussion with one participant — Pratric Samake, who graduated from Denik Middle School in Zambougou.
Awa Dreamed of Sewing
As part of my job at Mali Rising, I have the pleasure of helping to identify, select, and track our Inspiration Scholars. These young people are especially outstanding Mali Rising graduates who receive scholarships to continue their education. I just love hearing their stories when I check in on their progress so I wanted to share one such story with our supporters. This is what Awa told me in her own words:
