Educate Girls & Improve Teaching Methods in Mali

Fatoumata is a joyful 2nd grader from the rural village of Djemene. Fatoumata has two sisters and she loves to read in Bambara. Because of her school's partnership with the Alliance, she can receive a formal education right in her own village. Her school is 16 miles outside of the town of Ouelessebougou. It has the Alliance's largest student body serving the children of Djemene and some neighboring villages. 254 students attended school in 2017 - 2018.

When the Alliance's education program started in the mid 1990's, girls like Fatoumata rarely attended school. It was traditional for them to stay home and help their mothers. Many families felt it was unnecessary for a girl to receive an education when it was expected for them to marry young and bear children. Even when girls did attend school, many dropped out when they began menstruating. 

For 25 years, the Alliance has worked with the schools, Education Councils and village leadership to educate the parents on the importance of girls attending and completing primary school. There has been much progress since 1993. Attitudes are changing and more girls are attending the Alliance's 12 village schools. But poverty is still one of the biggest barriers to a girl's education, especially in rural areas like Ouelessebougou. It is still forcing girls in to sacrifice their right to education and hope for a better life. 

The Alliance is committed to securing access to a basic education for girls in rural Ouelessebougou. In addition to enlisting the support of village leaders and parents, the Alliance provides quality classrooms, supplies and teachers for an optimal learning environment. Separate school latrines and handwashing buckets increase health and safety; sustainable feminine hygiene kits and education allow girls to stay in school when menustrating. Evening literacy workshops for individuals ages 14 and older provide teens and young mothers the opportunity to continue their education.

By supporting the Alliance's education programs, you are investing in girls in Ouelessebougou. Your donation provides life-changing opportunities for hundreds of girls, which will not only bless their lives today but also help future generations to come. Thank you for empowering girls like Fatoumata!

School starts on October 1st in our 11 village schools.  OA staff have purchased new bench desks, books and other school supplies so the classrooms will be ready for our youngest learners.  Thanks to donors like you we also offer teacher trainings and parent/teacher relationship building workshops so that children have a strong foundation to support their academic growth.

Out of our 11 village schools, all but 4 are meeting their goal of 50% enrollment is female. This is such an accomplishment and we continue to work with the 4 villages that aren't quite at 50%.  Our Education Councils focus on discussions stressing the importance of all children receiving an education.  OA staff are committed to encouraging councils, village leadership and parents to ensure female children receive the same academic opportunities as their male peers.

We are hopeful this year we will see all village children in school. Thank YOU for supporting this important initiative.

Angie

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