Could You Learn in a Classroom with 100 Students?

Imagine a classroom crammed with 100 or more teenagers. Really picture it in your mind. Three or four students sit at desks designed to hold two kids. The room created to hold 20 or 25 desks holds 30 or 35. There are not enough textbooks to go around. Students near the back can’t see the board over the heads of all the other students. The noise level, even when the students are calm, is disruptive…and when the kids get loud – well, no one is learning.

This is a typical situation in Mali’s schools and is the current situation in Mali Rising’s Leon W. Pete Harman Middle School in Tentoubougou. Until everything is changed thanks to a new Mali Rising village school.

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Textbooks: Tools We Take for Granted

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As one of my former professors —Pr Ibrahim Sagayar — said: “A teacher or a student without a textbook is like a soldier on the battlefield without a weapon”. Yet all too often in Mali, teachers and students are not armed with textbooks. I recently discussed this problem with two of our partner principals — the principal of Sue Chung Chiu Middle School of Simidji, Mr. Essai Mikoro and the principal of Little Heroes Academy I Middle School of Mana, Mlle. Djenebou Niama Coulibaly.

Boys See Benefits For Everyone When Girls Are Educated

As part of work to help girls get into school and succeed there, Mali Rising Foundation works with boys. Why boys? Because we need them to be allies for the girls in their classrooms and their sisters at home! I lead regular discussion groups with boys in our partner schools to help them think through the benefits of girls’ education and their role in making it possible. Recently, we hosted a boys’ discussion group at Sue Taylor Middle School in Diorilia. Eighty-seven boys at the discussion!

Up Close With Two Teachers From Banko

At a recent peer meeting we had the chance to talk with two teachers from one of our newer school – Christiana Norris Middle School in the village of Banko. Teachers are what make a school a life-changing place, so great teachers are key to our students’ futures. Get to know two of Banko’s teachers just a little bit through these mini-profiles from our chat.

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Mrs. Kone: A Mother Making a Difference for Girls

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n Mali as in other African countries, historically few women went to school. Instead, many women were married at an early age and men did not consider women them when making certain core decisions in the society. But today this trend is changing in many regions of Mali and elsewhere. For our work at Mali Rising, we see this change happening in our school committees — the group of local people in charge of managing each school in Mali. I recently met a woman who exemplifies this change — Aicha Kone. Ms. Kone is a female leader who joined the school management committee of the Neways Academy in the village of Touban to champion the cause of girls.

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What a Difference a School Makes

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At Mali Rising, our Girls’ Project does a lot to get girls into school and help them succeed there – from tutoring to soccer matches to school fee subsidies. However, sometimes we are reminded that even the basic act of building a school literally opens doors to girls in search of an education. I was reminded of this recently during a discussion with a mother of one of our students.

Friday Fun Facts About Mali

By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

I recently had my 7 year anniversary as the Executive Director of Mali Rising…it is hard to believe! The anniversary has me thinking about how much I’ve learned over those years and how much I’ve grown to respect the people of Mali and love the culture of the country. On this cold Friday morning when I feel so far away from the warmth of the climate and people, I thought I’d share a few fun Mali facts to help you know the country a little better too.

This great picture is the perfect reminder of my first trip to Mali in 2016. This is the women of Simidji - home to Mali Rising’s Sue Chung Chui Middle School, Mali Rising staff member Hindaty, board member Jill, and me (bottom left/center).

FACT #1
Mali’s name comes from the Bambara word for hippopotamus, which can be found in the Niger River that winds its way through the country. As a side note, the name of Mali’s capital, Bamako, comes from the Bambara word meaning "place of crocodiles" or in some interpretations “the tail of the crocodile.”

FACT #2
Although today Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, it used to be one of the very richest. Its great wealth was built on trading of salt and gold and the country was a center of scholarship and learning. (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-interesting-facts-about-mali.html)

FACT #3
The prime meridian passes through the city of Gao in Mali. This means you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere if you visit Gao! (https://www.onhisowntrip.com/most-interesting-facts-about-mali/)

FACT #4
Mali achieved independence from France (which colonized much of West Africa) in 1960. This makes Mali quite a new democracy, and the legacy of colonization continues to cause issues today.

FACT #5
Mali’s economy is largely based on agriculture, with cotton being the primary export crop. Approximately 80% of the population is involved in farming or fishing as their main livelihood. Gold mining also contributes a significant amount to the country’s exports. Together, gold and cotton make up approximately 80% of the country’s exports. (http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-mali/ and https://www.economy.com/mali/indicators).

Every country and every place has a complicated history and context. It has been a pleasure to have the chance to learn a little bit about Mali each year and to have my understanding of the place and people grow at the same time. It is such a good reminder to always be curious about how we are all the same and how we are all different!

Inspired by what you’ve read? Donate to Mali Rising to be part of keeping this work going!

Great Teachers Make Great Schools

Mali’s teachers face many unique challenges, such as class sizes of more than 100 students and a lack of textbooks. But one challenge they face is one that any teacher around the world would recognize – how to engage their students and encourage questions and discussion. At a recent Mali Rising Teacher Training, we tackled this exact problem and inspired one young teacher -- Benzamé Sanou – to return to his classroom with new ideas and new energy.

Sustainability is Key to School Maintenance

Building and opening a new school is one of the most exciting activities at Mali Rising Foundation. However, once the school is complete we turn the building over to the local village to own and manage. This is a big responsibility, and maintenance requires skills. That’s why one of the ways we work with our partner villages is on-going maintenance trainings. To keep the schools safe and comfortable, we train School Management Committees – which are kind of like the PTAs in the U.S. – in various skills. I recently trained the Committee at both Lareen Mellor Middle School and Gary Hudson Elementary School.

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