By Hindaty Traore, Girls’ Project Manager
Mrs. Fatoumata Doumbia used Mali Rising’s Mothers’ Loan Fund to launch a smart business that helped her daughter stay in school and thrive.
At Mali Rising, we are continually inspired by the stories of women in our communities who have found new opportunities to help their daughters through the Mothers' Loan Fund. One such woman is Fatoumata Doumbia, a mother from the village of Nieguenkoro, who has seen her life transformed thanks to this initiative.
Fatoumata is a mother of four—two boys and two girls—who attended Ross and Marilou Moser Middle School. This year, her daughter Sanata K., aged 17, achieved a significant milestone by obtaining her DEF (Diplôme d'Études Fondamentales which means she was able to graduate from school. Like many mothers, Fatoumata dreams big for her children, hoping that Sanata will pursue midwifery training—a dream that her daughter also shares.
But life in Nieguenkoro has not always been easy. For years, the main source of income for women in the village was the wood trade, a tough and environmentally harmful practice. Each woman would collect small amounts of wood and sell it to traders who traveled from village to village. This income, however, vanished when the government banned the wood trade to protect the environment. With no other means to support themselves, many women in Nieguenkoro faced economic hardship.
That’s when the Mothers' Loan Fund came into Fatoumata’s life. With the help of the Fund, she borrowed 15,000 CFA francs and went to a large market in a bigger town, purchasing essential bicycle repair tools like inner tubes, tire patches, and nuts. This new business idea came from her observation that bicycles are the most common mode of transport in the village, and many people need repair tools.
"This idea of selling bicycle tools came to me because I saw the demand in our village. People need repair tools regularly, and it's something I can provide,” Fatoumata explains. “With my 15,000 CFA francs investment, I make 7,500 CFA a month. After paying back 1,500 CFA in interest, I’m left with enough to support my family. This fund allows us to continue our daughters' education, which is so important. Many girls drop out because their families can’t afford school fees, but this fund gives us the chance to change that."
Fatoumata’s journey as a businesswoman is deeply connected to her daughter Sanata’s education. Before the Girls’ Project arrived in Nieguenkoro, Fatoumata had almost given up hope of keeping her daughter in school. She had planned to send Sanata to Bamako to find work, as her older daughter had already left school due to financial difficulties. But the arrival of the Girls Project gave her hope.
"Thanks to the Girls Project, my daughter was able to stay in school and succeed," Fatoumata says. "My older daughter had to leave school, and it was devastating for me. She got involved with boys, and eventually, she became pregnant, which ended her education. I was determined not to let that happen to Sanata. The advice and support from the Girls Project helped keep her on the right path. Now, she’s focused on her studies, and I can’t thank the donors and everyone involved enough for what they’ve done for us."
Sanata dreams of making a real impact on her community one day. She hopes to bring projects to Nieguenkoro, like installing wells to provide easier access to clean water and electrifying the village so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of modern life. Fatoumata beams with pride as she shares her daughter’s ambitions, knowing that education is the key to making these dreams a reality.
For Fatoumata, Mali Rising means more than just classrooms—it represents a brighter future for her daughter and their community. "Thanks to Mali Rising, my daughter is studying in safe, well-equipped classrooms, and the Girls Project has kept her motivated to follow her dreams. We are so grateful."
At Mali Rising, we believe in the power of education and the strength of community-led projects like the Mothers' Loan Fund. Fatoumata’s story is just one example of how these initiatives are creating lasting change in the lives of women and girls in Mali. We are excited to continue supporting mothers like Fatoumata as they work to build better futures for their families.
