By Ousmane Coulibaly, Operations Coordinator

In late October, I had my first chance to visit a Mali Rising partner school. As a brand new staff person, I was so excited to finally see first-hand what we do and meet the great teachers and kids we work with. For my first trip, I went to the village of Sebela, which is home to Tim Gibson Middle School.

Since joining the staff I’ve learned that Mali Rising Foundation’s main purpose is the construction of schools in remote villages so that all girls and boys can access on an equal footing a full course of free and quality basic education. During my first visit, I saw that the construction of this school was very beneficial for the parents of the students, including the children themselves.

The school is built directly adjacent to the village, which greatly facilitates access by students. The school is composed of a directorate, two blocks of toilets for girls and boys, three classrooms (7th, 8th and 9th grades). Each classroom is equipped with a chalkboard, a table and chair for the teacher, and shared desks for students.

During my interviews with the students, I found that obtaining this middle school has aroused immense joy in the village. Previously, students had to walk long distances if they wanted to continue their education after 6th grade or study in a palm-leaf shed that was often full of snakes! Education became much easier once Tim Gibson Middle School was built right in the village.

According to Issa Samake, a member of the School Management Committee (CGS) of the school committee, “The future is children and without quality education for children (girls and boys), there is no bright future.”

It is in this same logic that Adam Samake, a girl and student at Seleba second cycle, said: "I came to school so that I could become someone in life. Because, once educated, I can solve a lot of my social problems and those of my entire community. So, I came to school so that I could be useful tomorrow. And, it is thanks to education that I can educate my children well in the future."

I drove home from my first field visit feeling hopeful for the future of Mali’s kids. Together we can meet the challenges related to education in Mali, especially with the moral and financial support of people of goodwill wanting to make their contribution to the construction and preparation of the future of children in the world.