Help Our Nurturing Nutrition Program

Chronic food insecurity is a serious concern in Mali. While malnutrition afflicts the entire population, it is the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 5. For decades, the Alliance has partnered with villagers in Ouelessebougou to fight the issue of malnutrition with sustainable projects that emphasize collaboration and community. We have constructed more than 150 drinking and garden wells, created community gardens and provided nutrition, gardening and small farmer training. These efforts have decreased malnutrition-related deaths and illness in 25 villages.

In 2014, the Alliance developed an agricultural program specifically aimed at village women and children. The Nurturing Nutrition program provides education on nutrition and gardening practices so women and children can work together to produce healthy food for their families. This program was modeled after the successful Women’s Association Garden, established many years ago by the Ouelessebougou Alliance and community women.

In 2016, the primary school in Famana became the pilot program for our first school garden. The Alliance partnered with the school to construct two concrete wells in the student garden, supply tools and provide training. Here students gained practical knowledge such as basic gardening techniques, how to grow and preserve food properly and use chemical fertilizers and composting methods. Over 120 students learned the lessons taught to their mothers by the Alliance and are now working side-by-side in the school garden. Thanks to our donors the garden continues to be a great success.

The Ouelessebougou Alliance is seeking funding to construct a solar pump well for the school of Bassa. Bassa is a small rural village in the region of Ouelessebougou with approximately 1,000 inhabitants. The villagers and school leadership want to start a garden modeled after the one at the Famana school.

Based on the success of the OA Women’s Garden and the Famana School Garden, we anticipate families will have a guaranteed food source, which will help create a generation that suffers less from nutrition related illnesses. Approximately 65 women and over 75 2^nd – 6^th graders will work in the garden together, taking home healthy food to their families which will benefit the Bassa community. When there is an excess crop, the women and older children will be able to sell their produce at the market to increase their income which will support their families. The goal is to not only provide sustainable food sources at home, but also increase crop production so families have more to eat and have enough left over to make extra income. 

Thank you for supporting the nutrition program in Ouelessebougou, Mali!

Sida is a very active mother of four in the village of Famana. Her husband is older and has a hard time working in order to feed his family. Sida is a brave woman who understands she has to stand up and take some of the responsibilities of providing for their family. The Famana school garden gives Sida the opportunity to work hard and provide nutritious crops for her family.

In the Spring 2018, Ouelessebougou Alliance partnered with the village of Famana to construct two cement wells in the school garden. The additional wells made it possible for the elementary school students to help their mothers in the garden. In the classroom, the students receive the same nutrition education and gardening training as their mothers. Now they are able to apply this knowledge and gain practical experience working in the garden alongside their mothers. By partnering mothers with their children, families learn how to work hard together. They pride themselves in being able to provide for themselves and fight malnutrition at home.

Sida has three children in school who now work alongside her in the garden. "The children and I work together to produce healthy food," she said. "We grow lettuce, tomatoes, onions. We have enough to eat and it makes them healthy to go to school."

In addition to providing the necessary nutrition her family needs, the garden allows Sida to increase her income. Her family eats and preserves the crops they need and she sells the abundance at the market. "With that money I can provide food, lodging and clothing. I can pay their school fees which is $1 USD each student per month during the school year. The garden the Alliance built is the only solution I can use to get what I need for my family," said Sida. 

Your support has made a huge impact for families in Ouelessebougou. We are grateful for your investment in our Nurturing Nutrition Program. Sida's family has hope and health because of you.

In 2019, the Alliance will build its second school garden in the village of Bassa modeled after the Famana garden. The first step is to raise enough money for one solar pump well. This will only be possible through the generosity of our supportive donors like you. Please consider contributing to the Bassa School garden. Your investment will create a generation in Bassa who can be free from the devastating effects of malnutrition.