By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

In December, Mali Rising staff and donors were honored to attend what was likely the biggest party of the year for all of us -- the opening celebration for Mali Rising's newest school in the village of Fadiobougou.

The Entrepreneurs' Organization Learn for Life Academy opened for students at the beginning of the academic year, but in December the village celebrated with the school's fundraising leaders, Fred and Ivy Johnson. Fred and Ivy worked with members of Entrepreneurs' Organization to raise the funds for the school, and even collected donations in lieu of wedding gifts!

The opening celebration was amazing -- full of music, dancing, beautiful children, and great food. Below we share just a few colorful moments from the afternoon of celebrating the power of education to change lives! Click each image below to expand.

Over its lifespan, the Learn for Life Academy will provide life-changing education to thousands of young people who would have otherwise had no chance to learn. The school will reach nearly 150 students each year in 7th, 8th, and 9th grade.

Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a global nonprofit organization and is the only global network exclusively for entrepreneurs. EO helps entrepreneurs learn and grow through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and connections to experts. EO works in 50 countries to inspire its 12,000 members to make change happen. Members of EO’s Utah chapter sponsored a previous school in 2013 – the EO Academy in Dovong, Mali.