By Ousmane Coulibaly, Operations Coordinator
Can a school really change a life? Just ask Mariam Ali Sanogo, a graduate of Mali Rising’s Eagle Environmental Academy in the little village of Lofine.
"I'm lucky because I went to school. Three of my sisters were not so lucky. They got married early, they didn't have a life plan, and they are just busy with household activities. Because at their times, there was no middle school in Lofine. But I am happy and lucky. I already got my DEF and now I am in the 11 grade at the public high school of Lofine. I would like to study more and become a secretary. I would like to work in an office,” Mariam told me.
The village of Lofine is a remote town in the south of Mali. Before the Mali Rising school was built, students faced a walk of many miles to go to the nearest middle school. In those days, many of the children were forced to drop out of school because the walk was just too far. Girls were often sent to early marriage and boys were likely to be sent to the fields to work. Today, the school is nestled near the village and it makes continuing their education easier for students.
Mariam is a graduate of Mali Rising’s Eagle Environmental and is currently studying hard in 11th grade.
Since the school was built, many boys and girls have graduated from the Eagle Environmental Academy and started professional careers, while others are today studying in high schools and universities. Even those who do not continue their education after Eagle Environmental Academy are still better prepared for life as farmers or local traders – they have the math and language skills to navigate everything from the local market to government forms.
“That is why I say that the construction of Eagle Environmental Academy Middle School was a good thing,” said Mali Rising graduate Mariam.
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