By Hindaty Traore, Girls Project Manager

In October, I was very happy to finally head back to the villages to meet with the girls from the Girls' Project after a long time because of the pandemic. Although I stayed in touch with the girls via the phone and radio, nothing is as much fun and as satisfying as laughing in person with the girls!

The meetings with our girls will be different this year because of the pandemic. To continue to do our activities safely with the girls, instead of meeting in the classrooms we spread out mats under a tree in the schoolyard. Each of the girls wears her mask, provided by Mali Rising. Everyone must disinfect their hands before the meeting and were made with gestures, rather than hugs. 

Although I wondered how the rules would work, the girls sat down respecting the distancing measures and were just happy to be together. They were enthusiastic because it is a first time for them to return to our discussions and fun. 

In fact, I noticed they were more relaxed, participatory, and focused as we met under the trees. One girl from Zambougou, Doussouba Samaké , said she loves meeting outside - she feels is in a palace on her mat under the trees and she is the queen so it feels good to take outdoor lessons. She wishes that all subjects could be taught like this! She said she would be the top of the class if she could learn under the trees (laughs).