Support Mali's Vulnerable Children

Things have been extremely busy in Mali this quarter. Our CEO is visiting Bamako and has rolled out a robust awareness campaign to reach more companies and individuals in the country. The hard work of ensuring the children are well rounded and Zorokoro building continues on track has challenges and is dependent upon the support of all of our constituents. Our CEO has discussed these challenges with the country’s First Lady during a meeting conducted on 11 August during the CEO’s visit to Mali. A show about ACFA was recorded in Mali on 15 August and will soon air on Mali National TV. Several authorities, such as ministers as well as individual corporate owners, have voiced the country’s support. Additionally, as part of the campaign of awareness, a conference is scheduled for the week of 31 August.

In sports, though three of the ACFA children - Adama, Lacine and Assana - are in the minors’ group in Basketball, they were selected to play at the youth level and have won their first game in the Bamako Basketball Championship. In other sports, the children continue to excel, achieving new belts in taekwondo and reaching new milestones in their basketball courses. We expanded the basketball program to include a mentoring aspect, during which our children had the opportunity to actively participate in the Coupe Africaine for basketball. They attended Mali’s game against Guinea and had the chance to interact with international professional athletes. These extracurricular activities have proven invaluable in ensuring the children are afforded a well-rounded upbringing.

Three of our children, Assana, Awa and Korotoumou, were selected by their respective schools and participated in the summer program iNERDE at the Cite de Enfants (a children support governmental organization in Mali). The project introduced qualified students to science and technology at 4^th grade level. The rest of the children are continuing their vocational training in tailoring, wood working, and motorbike repair.

 The children received their semiannual health check. During this process, they all received the necessary vaccinations. We have continued to remain vigilant in adhering to the highest standards of hygiene and healthcare, given the regional outbreak of Ebola.

In June, we began preparing for the planting season, plowing the farm and sowing seeds for corn and other crops. We continue to benefit from our partnership with the Malian government and private sector partners in seed and organic fertilizer support.

It is an exciting time for me to visit the operations in Mali: the children of ACFA-Mali and the Zorokoro Project have grown in so many ways! After spending the last 3 weeks in Bamako visiting our operations sites, I am incredibly proud of the improvement in the children’s lives and the progress made at Zorokoro. I am looking forward to the new relationships coming to fruition and working together with so many other organizations on the ground in Bamako. Thank you for your continued support as we face future challenges. Together, we have made a huge difference, and I am looking forward to facing the challenges ahead with your support, I know that we can do this. Thank you for your continued support.  

Links:

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