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.
New Hope for Students in Heremakono
Supporting Girls' Education: Nantenin's Journey
At Mali Rising Foundation, we know that removing barriers to education changes lives. In Sankama, one of our partner villages, the impact of our Girls’ Project is clear. By covering school fees for girls, we’ve enabled parents to send their daughters to school — a life-changing opportunity for families who would otherwise struggle to afford education. Nantenin’s story makes that crystal clear.
Fousseny is Ready for French Class
At Mali Rising Foundation, we’re thrilled to kick off another year of transformative French language classes! This month, our dedicated team is conducting pre-assessments across ten villages to prepare for the 2024-25 school year classes. Over the past two years, thanks to the generous support of our donors, the French Language Improvement Project has helped more than 200 7th graders — and this year we will expand to serve 400 students!
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.
A Gift of Knowledge: Textbooks Help Students
Access to education is one of the most powerful tools for change, and textbooks are a vital part of that equation. In Mali's rural middle schools, the scarcity of textbooks presents a significant challenge for teachers and students alike. Without adequate resources, lessons are harder to teach, students are slower to understand, and time in the classroom is less effective overall. Thanks to a generous gift from the Maxfield Family Foundation, at Frances W. Burton Middle School — and at all Mali Rising schools — this challenge is now a little easier to overcome.
Ground is Broken on a New School!
What Keeps a Teacher Going
Mahamadou Doumbia is a dedicated educator with over a decade of experience teaching biology in rural Mali. Mr . Doumbia has served in various village schools, and for the past six years, he’s been a pillar at Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School. His commitment and passion for education led to his appointment as the principal in 2022, a role that has deepened his connection to the village of Nieguekoro and its families.
New Hope Grants Make Change
Principals Inspiring Principals
The role of a principal is essential for a school's success, especially in Mali. Our principals are not only the leaders within the school walls, but they also bridge communication with local communities and address school-related issues. They work hand-in-hand with school management committees, making their roles pivotal in shaping our schools' futures. We recently had the pleasure of talking with Abdoulaye Sagara, the principal of Little Heroes Academy II, at our latest principal peer meeting.
