By Ousmane Coulibaly, Operations Coordinator

Can $500 change someone’s life completely? You bet it can! One kind donor’s Strong Woman Scholarship (part of our Inspiration Scholars Project) changed Fatoumata’s life forever.

Fatoumata Niagado is one of five Mali Rising’s 2022 graduates selected for the Strong Woman Scholarship, which allows young women to attend a nursing/midwifery program. Fatoumata is an orphan who graduated in June from Lareen Mellor Middle School in Kassela. Because she was living with her uncle’s very poor family, Fatoumata was about to drop out of school after she passed her middle school graduation exam. She was very surprised to see her name on the list of scholarship recipients. With her scholarship, Fatoumata enrolled in the nursing program at Ecole de Santé de Koro in Bamako.

"Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to continue my education. If I hadn't had this opportunity, I would have dropped out of school because I am an orphan and had no hope of continuing my education. My uncle wanted to send me into early marriage with a man. But when I informed him that the Mali Rising Foundation was ready to finance my studies, he changed his mind. I am very happy. My dream became true. I will become a midwife. I have the hope to succeed in life," said Fatoumata.

As in the case of Fatoumata, Mali Rising provides support to our bright young graduates in very difficult social situations. We offer scholarships in a variety of fields. Some are sent to high school and others to vocational schools such as health schools for nurses, construction related programs in electricians or masonry, agricultural programs, or accounting and secretarial schools.

Each year, principals nominate their most outstanding students in need and we select the best for Inspiration Scholarships. The Scholars are then enrolled in reputable schools where we pay their tuition and provide a living stipend to help with costs such as books or travel throughout the school year. For the 22/23 school year, we sponsored 26 Inspiration Scholars and we can’t wait to see the difference they will make in the world….we’re rooting for Fatoumata and all of this year’s Inspiration Scholars!