By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

This year Mali Rising started a new project — the Youth Ambassadors Project. Inspired by a high school student’s fundraising initiative, we decided to channel the great energy of young people here in the U.S. into our work.

Mali Rising's Youth Ambassadors take on projects in each of three areas over the year — outreach, service, and fundraising. At the same time, Ambassadors are building their own leadership skills and fostering international understanding among young people. Learn more about the project.

Our first class of Youth Ambassadors is full of great young people. And some of them have really hit the ground running. For example, Katelyn, a senior at Judge Memorial High School, has organized dozens and dozens of schoolmates to create language flashcards for our students in Mali.

On our recent trip, we were able to deliver the first sets of Katelyn’s flashcards. After a quick how-to tutorial, the students loved the cards. And the teachers were even more excited, because they see the cards as a way for students to practice language with their friends in between sessions.

Our thanks go to Katelyn and her schoolmates, and we just can’t wait to see what else the Youth Ambassadors will do this year!