At a recent Mali Rising Teacher Peer Meeting one teacher stood out from the crowd…and all because of a peanut plant!
Game-Changing Book Donation!
Something as Simple as a Flashcard
Students in Mali often struggle with something most US students don’t need to worry about: language. School is taught in French, but most children speak local languages at home. If they fall behind in learning French, every other subject suffers. That’s where Mali Rising’s FLIP campaign comes in — it aims to help incoming 7th graders jumpstart their French skills for middle school.
Creativity + Business Acumen = Bright Future
Creating and wearing beautiful clothes is a passion that crosses the boundaries of every country. No matter where you go, you’ll find people who turn clothing into an art form with their sewing skill. Mali Rising Foundation alum Djeneba Samake is one such young woman with a passion for sewing that, with te help of Mali Rising’s donors, she is now turning into a career.
It's Our 20th Birthday!
By Merritt Frey, Executive Director
We don’t feel a day over sweet sixteen, but Mali Rising turns 20 this year! We can hardly believe it. What started as the vague but generous urge to “do some good” in the world among a small group of people is now a fully adult venture. Twenty-eight schools built, twenty-eight strong village partnerships fostered, and thousands of students sent out into the world with the toolbox of education.
For our 20th anniversary, Mali Rising is planning a year’s worth of celebration and fun. We will look back at what we’ve learned and dream big about the future. We’ll celebrate our amazing partners in the villages and give thanks to the supporters who have made the last 20 years possible.
Each month we will put a school or two in the spotlight and look at what that school has meant to Malians. Each quarter, we will host a free, online event to help you explore our work and Mali’s culture, and to get involved in our work yourself. Over the summer and fall, we’ll host several in-person events both in the US and in Mali to connect everyone and celebrate together.
And we have a few other fun tricks up our sleeves to make sure we do our 20th anniversary in style…so stay tuned. If you don’t follow us on Facebook or Instagram, please do so to celebrate with us. Also, sign up for our very first birthday event: Do Good: Ways to Volunteer with Mali Rising.
Send a Note of Encouragement!
Teachers Connect Through Soccer
We want our teachers to get to know each other, so they can help each other and work together. to help with these connections, Mali Rising Foundation recently organized a soccer tournament for the teachers of our eight schools in the Baguineda area. Thirty-two teachers came together for some fun and bonding at the tournament.
A Future Nurse, Thanks to Our Supporters
It is sad to see here in Mali, but all to often early (or even child) marriage prevents many girls from continuing their education. However, times are changing in Mali. Some families wait longer for marriage, and even when marriage does occur it doesn’t always have to mean that a young women’s education is over. An example of this change comes from Salimata Sissao, a Mali Rising alumni. Here is her story in her own words…
French for Dowelé
One of the biggest obstacles students in Mali face is language. Although students in our villages grow up hearing and speaking their local language (Bambara), school is taught in French. In primary school students are « eased » into French instruction, but by 7th grade all classes are taught in French. So, if you haven’t learned French by then you are often just out of luck! That’s where Mali Rising’s FLIP campaign comes in.
Sewing for a Better Future
Clothing has always had an important place in our society and in our African communities. Through textiles, we tell a story and we highlight the culture of a country. For the young women we work with in Mali, creating clothing can also be a path to an independent future! How is that possible you ask ? For young women (and men too !) become a tailor is a respectable job in Mali and it allows you to be your own boss. This makes it an attractive dream for many of our students. Bana is one such student.
