Transform Lives through Education in Mali, Africa

Village Education Projects Donor Report

August 2026
Ouelessebougou Alliance

Growing Opportunity Through Education & Food Security

Because of your generous support, Ouelessebougou Alliance continues to strengthen communities through education that extends far beyond the classroom. From adult literacy centers to innovative school gardens, your investment is helping children and families gain the knowledge, resources, and confidence they need to build healthier, more resilient futures.

Adult Literacy Continues to Transform Lives

Our Village Literacy Program remains one of the most effective ways to empower adults—especially women—with the skills needed to improve their families' well-being and economic independence.

Across our partner villages, literacy centers continue to provide instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, and practical life skills. Participants consistently report greater confidence managing household finances, operating small businesses, and participating in community leadership.

By combining literacy with practical application, these classes are creating lasting change that reaches entire families.

School Garden Towers Continue to Thrive

One of the most exciting developments this quarter has been the continued success of our Garden Tower initiative.

Thanks to donor support and our partnership with the USANA Foundation, schools, literacy centers, villages, and internally displaced families continue to cultivate nutritious vegetables using compact, water-efficient Garden Towers.

Current Impact

• Approximately 260 families are now actively maintaining Garden Towers.

• Schools and literacy centers continue using the gardens as hands-on educational tools.

• Beneficiaries report that the system requires very little space, is simple to maintain, and is easy to water.

• Families are producing fresh vegetables for household consumption while learning sustainable gardening techniques they can continue independently.

Communities are currently growing:

• Tomatoes

• Carrots

• Beets

• Celery

• Cabbage

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini

• Eggplant

• Lettuce

The enthusiasm surrounding the project has been remarkable. Community members continue to express pride in their gardens and appreciation for a solution that improves nutrition while reinforcing lessons taught in our schools and literacy programs.

Community Voices

Participants continue to share how these programs are improving everyday life.

"This gardening system is practical, easy to build, doesn't require much space, and is simple to water."

Many families also report that growing vegetables at home reduces household food costs while providing healthier meals for their children.

Supporting Schools Beyond the Classroom

Education depends on more than teachers and textbooks. Safe infrastructure and reliable access to water remain essential for healthy learning environments.

Recently, our infrastructure team completed a technical assessment at the health center in Oure, which currently has no reliable water source.

Medical staff must collect water from neighboring wells every day simply to provide patient care and maintain sanitation.

Survey work has now been completed, providing the technical measurements necessary to begin planning a new water system that will ultimately benefit both the health center and the surrounding community.

This type of infrastructure investment strengthens the overall educational environment by creating healthier communities where children are better able to attend school consistently.

Looking Ahead

Over the coming months, our education team will continue to:

• Monitor literacy centers and partner schools

• Expand practical learning opportunities through Garden Towers

• Continue teacher and literacy facilitator support

• Improve educational infrastructure where needs are greatest

• Advance planning for improved water access at community institutions

Thank You

Every literacy lesson taught, every classroom strengthened, and every Garden Tower installed is possible because of your generosity.

Your partnership is helping families gain the knowledge to improve their livelihoods, children receive stronger educational opportunities, and communities build healthier, more sustainable futures.

Together, we are cultivating opportunity—one student, one family, and one village at a time.