Business Revenue Generating Loans for 14 villages

Dear Global Givers,

The holiday season is a time to give thanks for all that we have . . . and a time to give help to those who are less fortunate than we are. 

While we enjoy our holiday feasts, rural Malians fight against disease, poverty, illiteracy, and long odds to prosper or even to survive.  According to UNICEF, one in every 5 Malian children does not live to see his or her fifth birthday, and only approximately 20% of those who make it to adulthood can write their own names.  In this time of giving, we must look to the less fortunate and help them to overcome their arduous struggle. 

The Ouelessebougou Alliance’s programs are grass-roots movements that instigate social change, sustainable development and greatly increased education, as well as significant improvements in health and sanitation.  Thanks to generous contributors like you, nearly 95% of the children in Ouelessebougou villages are vaccinated – twice the rate in the rest of the country; girls’ enrollment in village schools where the Alliance works is 21% higher than national girls’ school enrollment in Mali, thanks to Alliance workers talking to parents about the importance of educating girls and increasing the availability of education in the area; and the Alliance provides business training and the capital for micro-loans that allow villagers to become entrepreneurs.  Your donation helps us continue to provide these life-changing tools in one of the worlds most impoverished rural regions, providing not only fish for a day, but also the education and training to fish for a lifetime. 

 Spread a little holiday cheer to Mali. 

 Best wishes in the holiday season and the New Year!

 Josh Molina

Links:

• Ouelessebougou Alliance

Since 2004, the Alliance has provided $68,400 USD in capital for village loans. Since then, the capital has brought a positive return that has allowed us to loan a total of $134,868 USD to village communities; 91% of all loans have been repaid or are current.  

In one specific case, the village of Dialakoro Keleya, The Alliance and local bank Kondo Djigima have lent more than 6 000 000 cfa (roughly $12000) in 3 years to the people of the village. They have distributed the money to individuals who use the funds to start or invest in small businesses, with widespread success. Some of the interests generated by these activities help pay the teachers’ salaries at the village school. 

Your contributions to the Ouelessebougou Alliance are part of a long-term movement towards sustainability now taking place in the Ouelessebougou region: when Alliance loans allow an entrepreneur to succeed, the entrepreneur invests some of his or her profits in the local school system, enabling future generations to develop their skills and work towards a better life. This movement is helping to create locally sustained development in future generations.  

I want to thank you again for your generous donation and encourage you to consider donating again in the future, and to spread the word about our projects. 

Kind regards,

Josh Molina