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 this month, we have been sharing stories and interviews from that trip. Today we hear from a serious young man, Soumaila, who is very happy to have his commute to school go from 90 minutes to just a few steps.

My name is Soumaila Doumbia. I am 17 years old. I am in the 8th grade at Christiana Norris Middle School in Banko. I live in Banko with my parents. My father is a preacher (seer). He teaches me a bit about what he does but it's my school studies that I love. My mother sells pancakes at the market.

Last year for 7th grade, I traveled to a school in a village called Touban. Touban is 11 km from Banko. I made this trip by bike in 90 minutes with other boys from my village who attended the same school. I was often late and the bike often broke.

On one trip for example, my bike broke down when the chain broke. I had to walk 7 km to get to my house. It was late and very dark, and I was a little scared on the road. I am very happy to study at Banko because I no longer need to wake up early to go to school, I no longer have the stress or fatigue of the journey. Now I study easily in our new classroom very close to my house. My favorite classes are in biology and math because I find those subjects naturally easy to understand.

I like to study because in today's world the educated people are the richest. I would like to become rich also to take good care of my parents and the people needs of the people in my village. After my studies, I would like to become a soldier to fight the jihadists in our country so that things get back to normal in Mali. After that, my plan for the future to help my village is to create a paved road between Banko and Bamako and also to bring a telecommunications network so we can easily connect with the world.

Thank you again to all those who contributed to the realization of our new school!