by Merritt Frey, Executive Director

We are more than excited to welcome a new member to the Mali Rising team — Ousmane Coulibaly. As of October 1, Ousmane is our Operations Coordinator. This means he is in charge of keeping everything running on time and efficiently, from the Mali office’s budget to our delivery of Inspiration Scholarships.

Ousmane comes to use with years of experience working in nonprofit organizations and as a high school teacher. He is also a highly trained and creative filmmaker! I asked Ousmane to share a little background on himself with us during his first few days on the job. Read on for more:

1) What inspired you to apply to join the Mali Rising team?

I was inspired by the work. Mali Rising Foundation’s contribution to the empowerment of children in Mali, especially through schools’ construction project, supporting students with scholarships and Learning Kits, our program of teachers’ training and our project devoted to girls schooling all inspired me to join the team.

In addition, as I am also from a poor background and in my childhood. I used to walk more than 7 km to attend school, so Mali Rising’s contributions facilitating easy access to schools for remote places’ children not only inspired but also touched me. Likewise, our main activities match with my profile of skills and I wish to bring my modest contribution to the Mali Rising team to empower children. In addition, I am passionate to work with children and youth and feel happy to help students overcome challenges related to education, funding, and finding a job.

2) What are you most excited to do or to learn in your new job?

I am really curious and impatient to start working on the Inspiration Scholarship program and to meet with some alumni in order to see how Mali Rising Foundation contributions have been helpful for their studies and dreams. I am very excited to start working on new schools construction project in other remote rural places and more excited to make videos and photos of events related to Mali Rising activities. I am enthusiastic to work within a team and I am eager to learn from their experiences and support them through sharing information and others administrative matters. Keeping things safe, maintaining the systems, oversee the budget; and even making sure our materials are organized in an order way in the office are some of the most excited thing for me to do and to learn in my new job.

3) When you are not working, what do you like to do for fun?

When I am not working, I like to stay home and watch movies with my family members. Sometimes, I like reading academic papers and books, and writing articles.

4) Tell us a little bit about yourself personally – your family, what you studied in college, or anything else you’d like to share!

I am called Ousmane Coulibaly, and I am 37 years old. I am from the minianka ethnic group, and I was born in a village called Baramba in southern Mali located in the Sikasso region. I have been married since 2014 and am the father of 2 boys and one adoptive girl of 12 year old who is doing the 5th grade. My wife is called Sanata Coulibaly. Sanata is 27 years old and I have a very good and lovely relationship with her. Our first son is Oumar Coulibaly. Oumar is 6 years old and he is doing the first grade. Our second son is Adama Coulibaly, and he is just one and haft year old. My father passed away in 2015 and my mother is living with us. I have two brothers who are all farming in the village and four sisters who are all married in neighboring villages.