By Merritt Frey, Executive Director
In the fall of 2019, we were able to grant 17 new Inspiration Scholarships. The generous people at Denik sponsored five of those Inspiration Scholars from their school in the little village of Zambougou. Meet one recipient from Denik Middle School — Check.
In Check’s own words:
I am called Check Oumar Samake and I am 17 years old. I just left Denik Middle School in Zambougou, where I passed the DEF [national graduation exam]. I graduated in second place in my class of 44 students. I am now attending the Technical Center of Ouelessebougou thanks to a Mali Rising Inspiration Scholarship donated by Denik. I am studying building construction and electrical work. I am happy for the support!
The meal I love the most is chicken. My favorite game is soccer. Things I do not like: burglary. My village is called Bladiè, and it is not far from Ouélessebougou where I now go to school. At home I have brothers and sisters. When I am rich, I will help my parents.
We asked Check to tell us a story or a historical tale from his village. Here is what he shared:
This is the story of a village on the edge of a paved road. A truck filled with red wine bins spilled on the road, right near the village. The whole population went out to get bottles of wine and the village chief drank too much. The monkeys came to drink their share once the village population returned to their homes.
During the night, the drunken village chief came out to rest under the big tree behind the village. He fell asleep while a big monkey was also sleeping under the influence of alcohol. When the village chief woke up, he looked at the monkey and immediately said, "Even you were at last night's dance?" The monkey rubbed his head and replied with a grumbling "of course" and fled into the forest.
We are not quite sure what we should make of Check’s choice of story!
