By Merritt Frey, Executive Director with Hindaty Traore, Girls Project Manager

We are overjoyed that the new middle school for the children of Banko — Christiana Norris Middle School — is now open in Mali and serving kids. Alas, for now we cannot do the typical ceremonial opening with the Norris Family, who generously sponsored the school. Instead, our staff brought a video from the Norris Family to share with the students and interviewed students, staff, and parents about the new school. Over the next week, I’ll be sharing stories and interviews from that trip. The first interview story today is from a young man, Bakary, who was able to return home to his family now that the village has a school for him!

My name is Bakary Doumbia. I am in the seventh grade in the new Christiana Norris Middle School of Banko. I am 17 years old. I was not enrolled in school early, so I am older than a typical seventh grader.

Last year, I was living with my big sister, far from the rest of my family. There was no middle school in my sister's village, so my father went to look for me in order to be able to enroll me in the new middle school of Banko to study. I was very happy for that because when I was at my big sister's house the trip from her house to school was very long – more than 11 kilometers! Once I arrived, often I could not even learn my lessons because of fatigue. Sometimes my bike broke down. I would spend an hour and a half on the road each way, and I was always late for school.

I am very happy for this new school because it is so close to home. My sincere greetings go to all those who have contributed to the construction of this new school in my village. Being able to study while being at home with your parents is the best thing, because with their encouragement and dedication you can learn your lessons easily.

A few things about me? My favorite subjects are mathematics because I like calculations and biology because I like to learn everything about trees and roots. If I was given a million CFA (Mali’s unit of currency), in the future I will build hospitals in my village because health is first and foremost. My best friend is named Drissa Doumbia. I chose him as my best friend because he gives me good advice all the time. My favorite dishes are rice and chicken. I hate betrayal. I have many siblings.

I live with my mother because it has been three months since my father passed away. I'm a little sad because I wanted him to see my success in school and life, but God decided otherwise. I will do anything to make him proud of me even if he is no longer alive.

My mother is a gardener and I often help her water her garden. I would like to be a great doctor in the future so that I can save lives. Again, my sincere greetings to the donors of my new school.