By Adama Kone, Teacher Project Coordinator

Denik Middle School of Zambougou has not only been a tremendous help to the people of Zambougou, but also a great relief for Mr. Diarra. Abdoul Salam Diarra has been teaching French in Zambougou for 5 years.

Mr. Diarra is married and is the father of a two-year-old boy. He lives in Ouelessebougou, which is about 10 km from the school. Mr. Diarra loves all his family and enjoys working with all his everyone in Denik Middle School of Zambougou.

The thing Mr. Diarra likes best about his job is being with children for lots of time as a teacher. He loves all his students especially those who work hard in school. According to Mr. Diarra, he likes kids because they are innocent and crazy — sometimes they say things that really make him feel happy and he forgets sadness and all his problems. He would also say that kids are not resentful, which makes working with them a pleasure. Mr. Diarra likes to challenge students with questions, especially in his youngster class of 7th graders.

Mr. Diarra is very happy to be working in Denik Middle School. He thinks that Zambougou is an easy access village because it is right on a paved road. He also thinks the number of students in his school is just great and easy to work with. Also, all the school staff have a great relationship with students’ parents in Zambougou, which makes it easier to achieve better results for the students.

Mr Diarra also said that one of the reasons why he likes Denik Middle School so much is because Mali Rising Foundation that has been a wonderful partner to them since he has been there. He feels very grateful to the donors for building the Denik Middle School in Zambougou.

Mr. Diarra missed his students very much during the school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is happy that no case of COVID-19 has been yet detected around the village. He had been crossing his fingers to get back to school and see his students and colleagues again safe and sound. Although the COVID-19 is not over, the school is reopen and he is thrilled to be with all kids in school and to help them learn.

When I asked Mr. Diarra about what he is like when he is not teaching, food was his favorite topic! Mr. Diarra likes spaghetti with chicken because he thinks it makes you fatter and healthy so you can work hard with good energy. He is so hooked on that plate that his wife teases him sometimes by calling him a “rooster”. For fun, Abdoul Salam likes to watch soccer on television with his friends and runs sometimes to get sweaty and fit. Abdoul Salam says thank you to all the great donors of Mali Rising!