Provide Food for Mali's Vulnerable Children

A Child for All (ACFA) is moving forward.  From introducing robotics to ACFA students to graduation of most of the first children who came to ACFA in its early days, ACFA’s vision for the future remains unchanged – helping the vulnerable children of Mali to thrive.

 Summer learning

Vegetable garden

The children continued to assist in the vegetable garden at the Complex where vegetables grown include tomatoes, cucumbers, local eggplant, onions, celery, cabbage, okra and lettuce.

Teachers continue to use the vegetable garden as a learning tool for the children about sustainability, use of solar power, reuse of manure from the sheep at the Complex as fertilizer, and even the effects of climate change on farming.

Robotics Summer Camp Initiative

From July 1 to July 18, 2024, 36 eager young students from ACFA’s school engaged in an intensive robotics training program. This initiative aimed to introduce these first and second graders to the fascinating fields of computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The training was designed to develop their problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork while sparking a lasting interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).  The training took place at the newly opened ACFA Zorokoro Children’s Complex community computer lab.

A highlight of the training was an educational visit to the RobotsMali center, where the children witnessed real-world applications of robotics. They interacted with national robotics team members, observed advanced robotic demonstrations, and even had the chance to pilot robots themselves. This immersive experience not only broadened their horizons but also fueled their aspirations.

Summer School

A total of 135 children (ACFA’s 25 children living at the Complex and 110 children from the surrounding villages) attended a month of summer school at the ACFA school in August to make sure that they were ready for the new school year.   All 135 children were fed 3 meals a day.

Zorokoro Children’s Complex Community Library and Computer Lab in action

Since the opening of the ACFA community library and computer lab, children, parents, teachers and others from the surrounding villages have been using the library and computer lab.  There are several classes each week in the computer lab geared towards local teachers and young adults from ACFA and the surrounding villages.

Mentorship – U.S. Embassy Marines

ACFA children had a special visit to the U.S. Embassy in Bamako as a mentorship activity hosted by the U.S. Marines.  After remarks by the U.S. Ambassador to Mali, the children and the Marines had a fun day of games, including soccer and tug-of-war. The highlight for many was a competitive soccer match—a match full of laughter and friendly competition. Following the games, everyone took a much-needed water break before diving into more activities, including an explanation of military equipment, which fascinated the children.  At the end of the day, the children were treated to a showing of the film Ice Age. The day concluded with a meal.

Transition of ACFA young adults

ACFA took in the first vulnerable children ages 5-7 years old around 2010.  These children grew up in the childhood home of ACFA founder Kadiatou Sidibe, attending private school, receiving substantive education, nutrition, healthcare as well as vocational training.  They participated in sports including fencing, tae kwan do and basketball.  This year ACFA transitioned these now teenagers and young adults to independence.  Seven of the 11 ACFA children have graduated from ACFA’s program, having learned skills that allow them to prosper in life, while one of the younger boys is enrolled in vocational training.  The three youngest girls moved this summer to the Complex and are in their last year of high school near the Complex.  ACFA has now closed the Bamako Children’s Home as a home for vulnerable children, and all ACFA activities are focused on its 5 acre site, the Zorokoro Children’s Complex.  We are proud of what we have achieved with the older children – who knows what their lives would have been like if they had continued to live on the streets back in 2010.

Hope for the future with your help

Please consider donating to ACFA today to support our continued growth and enable more vulnerable children to receive what all kids deserve: care, a safe and loving home, nutritious food, education and opportunity.

Thank you.

Links:

• website

What a wonderful spring and start of summer for ACFA and the ACFA children!  The highlight of the spring was the inauguration of the Zorokoro Children’s Complex community library and computer lab which took place during the visit to Mali of ACFA’s CEO and Board Chair.  ACFA also saw the growth of its’ Zorokoro vegetable garden.

Construction of the two-story community library and computer lab was financed by B2Gold, a Canadian mining company.  The interior commodities – books in French, English and Bambara, tables and chairs, computers, printers, musical instruments, bookcases,  and more were financed through a grant from USAID ASHA (American Schools and Hospitals Abroad).   ACFA is grateful for the support of B2Gold and USAID ASHA.  Over 100 officials attended the inauguration.  All ACFA children and children from the surrounding villages that attend ACFA’s school were at the ceremony, and they especially enjoyed the performance by a magician.  Following the ceremony was the official ribbon-cutting, and then all attendees toured the library and computer lab and the rest of the Zorokoro Children’s Complex including the school, the dorm, and the vegetable garden. 

 This was a very special day for ACFA!  The community library and computer lab is a wonderful resource for the students at the ACFA’s school and for the people from the surrounding villages.  Our provided services include access to a library for the first time for so many people, a cultural corner for events from different cultures including music, dance, art and storytelling, literacy classes, and training on computers and computer programming.

 The vegetable garden continues to produce nutritious food for the children such as lettuce, cucumbers, and eggplant and is an opportunity for the children to learn about the environment and sustainability.  At ACFA, our staff prepares daily healthy meals for our children. A balanced diet ensures physical and mental development. Our menu is periodically reviewed and approved by a nutritionist.  Growing their own food provides children with hands-on experience in cultivating and caring for plants, fostering a sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world.

 ACFA incorporated music sessions at the library towards the end of the academic year! The children are learning to play drums and balafon and love to dance.  Volunteer musicians, parents and teachers, all join in to teach the basics of the balafon, jenbe (drum), tamani, keyboard, and more. These musical sessions provide the children with a wonderful opportunity to express their feelings and showcase their talents through music.

 During their visit to Bamako, Kadiatou and Lisa spent time at the ACFA Zorokoro Children's Complex school attended by 100 students ages 3 to 7 years old.  One of the young boys proudly stood up and counted to 100, showcasing his newly acquired knowledge.  The children also showcased the new library and computer lab.

 ACFA also celebrated the accomplishments of our older children.  Fousseyni, who has been with ACFA for over 10 years, is now working at Bamako’s upscale restaurant Le Loft after graduating from culinary school.  Teens Diakassan and Bily won medals at a fencing competition.  Hard to believe these children were living on the street before coming to ACFA.

ACFA’s first generation of children live in the founder’s father’s house where she grew up.  Every few years, the house needs some loving care.  Thanks to individual donations and volunteers’ efforts, the house in Bamako was recently repainted. 

 In July, 36 ACFA’s 1^st and 2^nd graders engaged in an intensive robotics training program. This initiative was the first step to introduce ACFA children to the fascinating fields of computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. The training was designed to develop their problem-solving skills, creativity, and teamwork while sparking a lasting interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

 A Child for All is grateful to all its supporters!  Nutrition is one of the four programs of ACFA’s holistic approach to supporting Mali’s vulnerable children.  We cannot do this without the generous support of our donors.  There is much more planned – please help us.

 Please consider donating to ACFA today to support our continued growth and enable more vulnerable children to receive what all kids deserve: care, a safe and loving home, nutritious food, education and opportunity.

 Thank you.

Links:

• Website