Scholarship Student Makes Agriculture a Career

By Fatoumata Kone, Operations Coordinator

Students may sometimes question why they should stick with school…why do they need math or science ? We work hard to help our students connect their education to their dreams for the future…whatever those dreams are ! I want to share the story of one of our graduates – and Inspiration Schoalrship reciepient – who has a passion for agriculture and livestock farming.

Here is his story in his own words :

“ My name is Chieck Oumar Samake and I'm from a village called Zambougou. I graduated from Mali Rising’s Denik Middle School in Zambougou. After graduation, I enrolled at the Djitoumou Agro-pastoral school in Ouélessebougou and I'm in my 4th year. I was lucky enough to benefit from a Mali Rising Inspiration Scholarship to fund these studies.

Chiiek literally overseeing his young chickens at his internship during this, his last year of an agricultural program as a Mali Rising Inspiration Scholar.

Before graduating, I had some difficulties. At the time Zambougou didn't have a middle school, so I went to [the bigger town of] Ouélessebougou to continue my studies. Unfortuntaely  I couldn't find accommodation and I didn't have the financial means, nor did my parents, to continue my studies.

Then Mali Rising Foundation built Denik Middle School in Zambougou, so I went back to Zambougou to do middle school.  After graduation, I got the scholarship from Mali Rising too ! This scholarship helped me a lot, and with this money I was able to study in the best possible conditions.

The agro-pastoral school was my dream since I was in middle school.  I've always been passionate about livestock and agriculture in general, and I love this profession.

At school we do both theory and practic. We practiced raising broiler chickens three times in our school and we succeeded. This was our first experience.

Right now I'm doing an internship on a big farm in Kita, where I'm raising laying chickens. Every morning I wake up very early to take care of the hens, then I give them food and water. I also monitor their vaccinations from day 1 to day 29. From day 1 I give them a live vaccine, after day 5 I give them an injectable vaccine, and from days 7, 14, 17 and 29 I give them a live vaccine which I put in the water and give them to drink. Laying hens live 18 months, but around 4 months they start laying eggs. Raising laying hens is a profitable business for farmers. Eggs produced by laying hens are in great demand on the local and regional markets.

When I go to visit my village, I'm the one who injects their animals - cows, sheep and chickens. After my studies, I'd like to become a great livestock breeder in Mali, and if I succeed, I'll build a big farm in my village, build roads and renovate the soccer pitch.”

We are so proud of Chieck’s hard work in school and feel confident he will achieve his vision for the future. Livestock farming is a key driver of sustainable agricultural development, contributing to food security, nutrition, poverty reduction and economic growth. In this way Chieck’s dream will improve his life but also improve life for so many Malians !

Girls Groups Meet Under the Mango Trees

By Hindaty Traore, Girls Project Manager

In October, I was very happy to finally head back to the villages to meet with the girls from the Girls' Project after a long time because of the pandemic. Although I stayed in touch with the girls via the phone and radio, nothing is as much fun and as satisfying as laughing in person with the girls!

The meetings with our girls will be different this year because of the pandemic. To continue to do our activities safely with the girls, instead of meeting in the classrooms we spread out mats under a tree in the schoolyard. Each of the girls wears her mask, provided by Mali Rising. Everyone must disinfect their hands before the meeting and were made with gestures, rather than hugs. 

Although I wondered how the rules would work, the girls sat down respecting the distancing measures and were just happy to be together. They were enthusiastic because it is a first time for them to return to our discussions and fun. 

In fact, I noticed they were more relaxed, participatory, and focused as we met under the trees. One girl from Zambougou, Doussouba Samaké , said she loves meeting outside - she feels is in a palace on her mat under the trees and she is the queen so it feels good to take outdoor lessons. She wishes that all subjects could be taught like this! She said she would be the top of the class if she could learn under the trees (laughs).