By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

One of our most popular projects for donors is the Inspiration Scholar Project. Inspiration Scholarships sponsored by donors allow our most outstanding graduates to go on to high school or vocational training such as nursing, farming, or construction. You too can sponsor an Inspiration Scholar!

Here’s a first person story from one of our current Inspiration Scholars, Adama Sangaré:

My name is Adama Sangaré, a pupil in 10th grade at the public high school in Sikasso. I am currently 16 years old. I live with my father’s friend in Sikasso, becuase my family lives in a small village far away. I have six sisters and a big brother who is a livestock herder. I have a little sister who is married.

My village is called Tabalé located 5 km from Mamarasso where I obtained graduated from middle school (Mali Rising’s Mount Logan Middle School). I was originally sent to Binta Diby high school in Sikasso, but because of the long distance, I asked for my transfer to this public high school. Currently I can come to my village to help my parents do some field work, where I often also review my lessons and read. The problem my parents are experiencing this year is that of the lack of cereals because last winter our village did not have a good harvest.

I would like to continue my studies to be a professor or be a member of parliament one day. The subjects I love are history and geography because I understand them and I memorize them easily. As for mathematics, it is difficult for me but I never the less manage to have the average in this subject.

I like having money and self-sufficiency because I don't like being dependent on others. I do not like lying and disrespect because lying completely takes away confidence. If there is no confidence, the world does not move forward. Lack of respect brings hatred and stories between people.

I like the traditional meal of the cultivators which is the tô, but I don't like the rice made with sorghum.

If I were rich, I would like to help the poor with agricultural machinery. I would also help the orphans because people have the courage to cultivate but lack the means.

A funny story I know: There was a blacksmith who worked in his forge. One day, he saw a beautiful woman passing in front of him. He kept looking at her until he cut his arm off with his knife. After that he asked everyone around, “where did I put my arm!?” His neighbors replied that he left him with the woman who was passing by.

Note: We think Adama has a strange sense of humor, but maybe that will serve him well in parliament!