by Alou Doumbia, Field Director
A very rewarding part of my job is to coordinate the scholarships granted to some of our most outstanding graduates — Inspiration Scholarships. These scholarships allow students to continue to high school or to a vocational school. I spoke with one of our new Inspiration Scholars, Seydou. Thanks to our generous supporters, Seydou is one of dozens of graduates now in professional school getting ready for big things. Here is what he had to say:
Seydou was born November 28th, 1998 in the village of Tièma 1 km away from Sebela. He attended the Tim Gibson School in Sebela where he where he graduated his DEF exam (the national graduation exam).
When he was selected as a Mali Rising scholar, he intended to continue his studies in pastoral farming, but his choice was not accepted by the school authorities. However, that did not disturb him at all. After he passed the DEF exam, he was referred to a vocational school for a 2 year accounting assistant program.
Seydou said, “Teachers and supervisors trust me in our school, they are all happy to hear that I am planning to continue my studies. I am courageous and hope to be successful in my life because my parents can’t support me. That is why I take courage and study hard. I want my brothers to study hard because education is very valuable, whether you are from a rich or poor family, if you are not well educated, you will be regretful one day.”
“I like accounting the most among our subjects, but the exercises are difficult,” continued Seydou. “Talking about meals, I really like the "fakoï" which is a rice dish with a black sauce, it is a the favorite one of the "Sonrhaï" ethnic group living northern Mali. I don’t like to hurt someone who didn’t hurt me. I’m going to make fun now, I’m a Dogon [an ethnic group], and my joking cousins are the Sonrhaï ethnic group who like nothing but fakoi.”
Learn more about the Inspiration Scholars Project.
