Support Mali's Vulnerable Children

We hope that this report finds you and your loved ones staying safe and healthy during these challenging times.  Indeed, between COVID19, and the current unrest in multiple cities and countries, we are all facing tough times now.  But we remain confident in the future for better days to come!

 Our children in Bamako are doing well!  To mitigate COVID 19 confinement, we moved them to the Zorokoro Children’s Complex where they have 2 hectares (5 acres) of space to play and keep themselves busy in a safe environment.  They have sewed masks with donated material and sewing machines.  They have taken on  growing their own salad cucumbers and tomatoes, etc… They have supported our livestock project of seven sheep.  They even supported the building of their own temporary basketball court. 

 Most importantly, while in Zorokoro, they have assisted in the welcoming and integration of their 5 little brothers and sisters.  Yes, we opened Zorokoro operations in May by taking on 5 new children from the streets of Bamako and giving them a home.  Meet Salimata, Ramatoulaye, Boubacar Sidiki, Sekou, and Kadidia.  Only 1 month and the positive change in these children is already palpable.  

 Last week in Mali, school resumed for the national exam classes’ students.  So our 3 children who are candidates this year to that exam moved back to Bamako.  They have been attending their schools and we have also resumed their tutoring while maintaining the adequate protection needed.

 At the Zorokoro Children’s Complex we are excited to announce that we have completed construction of the first three classrooms of the school and the second three classrooms are under construction. 

 We thank you for your continued assistance in support of the vulnerable children of Mali.  We couldn’t do this without you!  Please do stay safe and healthy! 

Links:

• Our Website

Happy New Year ACFA’s supporters!!! Thanks to you, ACFA had a great end of year fundraising campaign.  We’ve raised 70% of our needed funds to open the Zorokoro Children’s Complex with 10 children.  That means we have a little bit more to go so please consider donating to our project today: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/give-a-home-to-vulnerable-toddlers-in-mali/.

December is the month of holiday break from school, but our children have been very busy with their extra curricular activities.  With the end of the year, December was a month of competitions in Mali.  Diakassan participated in the Sikasso’s Governor’s cup of fencing and received a monetary award.  Additionally, she and 4 other children of ACFA participated in the Mali Federation  fencing competition.  Diakassan ranked first place and is now the 2019 Mali Fencing champion.  Finally Koro earned a gold medal at the Mali Federation organized taekwondo competition in Bamako.  

 In December our staff and children attended a 2 day training session in sexual education and learned about sexually transmitted diseases and how to protect themselves from them.  This was a great opportunity to ensure that the children understood these matters and that the staff learn how to cope with such trainings.  

 Additionally, ACFA staff participated in a seminar organized by the Monaco Cooperations in Mali.  The seminar, the 6^th meeting of Cadre de Coordination des Actions du Gouvernment de Monaco dans le Domaine de l’Enfance Vulnerable (CAMDEV), seeks a better collaboration between organizations working with vulnerable children.  The seminar provided a venue for ACFA’s staff to network with staff from other organizations whose missions converge with ACFA’s and improve the positive impact on Mali’s vulnerable children.  

 We thank you for your continued assistance in support of the vulnerable children of Mali.  Please consider donating to our project today and remember that we have 30% to go to reach our goal of bringing 10 children to Zorokoro: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/give-a-home-to-vulnerable-toddlers-in-mali/.  Note also that you have the opportunity to visit Mali to see your donations at work.  Just let us know and we’ll be happy to host you. 

Links:

• Our website