inspiration

Applications Now Open for Youth Ambassadors

I'm proud to say that through this job I've met some of the greatest young people, both in Mali and in the United States. Lately, I've had the pleasure of working with Roshini, who inspired a whole new project at Mali Rising. Today, with the help of Roshini and four other high school students who make up the Youth Ambassadors Advisory Council, we're pleased to open applications for 18/19 school year Youth Ambassadors.

An Egg & Spoon Race in Mali? Sure Thing!

Just like here in the U.S., students are out of school for the summer in Mali. At the end of each school year but before the students scatter, we hold a celebration in each of our three Girls Project pilot villages. We use the parties for serious goals (collecting feedback, engaging parents, etc.), but they are also just plain fun. I'm sharing some pictures here from the party in Kolimba, a tiny village a few hours of dusty, bouncy dirt road from the nearest pavement. 

We're Looking For A Few Outstanding High School Students

Sometimes you meet a young person who just inspires you. Such was the case for me when I met Roshini. In addition to raising funds for scores of menstural kits for our girls, Roshini inspired us to launch a new Mali Rising Project -- the Youth Ambassadors. Now we need a few more bright high school students to help make it happen.

What Our Girls Want To Be When They Grow Up...

It is such an annoying grownup question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" But it is an important question for young people as they enter middle and high school. The question is on my mind because one of many questions we ask girls participating in our Girls Project at the beginning of each school year and again at the end of the year. 

Who really runs a mayor's office? Someday maybe Boumadyè.

Boumadyè is and 18-year-old graduate of Mali Rising’s Sue Chung Chiu Middle School in the little village of Simidji.  She used her Inspiration Scholarship to move to the capitol city of Bamako to pursue a secretarial degree at a vocational school. Why? Because she covets an influential role in the mayor’s office…

Why You Walk -- The Long Road to School

As all our Miles for Mali walkers start their journey this month, I thought this would be a good time to share a story from students in Mali about their own daily journey to school. Recently, our staff in Mali passed a group of girls on their way to school. They stopped to ask the girls about their trip. The girls were in the midst of their daily 8 kilometer (5 mile) one-way walk to school…