by Adama Kone, Teacher Project Manager

Earlier this month I traveled to the Sikasso region, where a group of our most far-flung schools needed our attention. I traveled there to do a big training with the local teachers; my colleague Hindaty went to do some work with the schools’ girls. While I was there, I had the chance to talk with some students about their time in school. Today, I would like to share the story of Lakanan, who attends the Eagle Environmental Academy, in his own words:

“My name is Lakanan B. and I am sixteen years old. I am in 8th grade and living in the village of Lofiné. I am thrilled to attend middle school in my own village because it has saved me from walking long distances back and forth every single day. Without this school, I would have walked about six kilometers [nearly 4 miles!] each way to attend middle school. Without Eagle Environmental Academy, I might have dropped out of school because my parents would not be able to provide me a bike although they would like to. I feel saved now and able to graduate in my own village thanks to the Eagle Environmental Academy.

One day my father told me that walking miles to middle school in neighboring villages used to make many students drop out of school in my village. That happened because it was extremely tiresome to most of students and even dangerous for some, especially girls. I can say that many other children and I are lucky and we do not have to walk any long distance to school. This is encouraging us to stay in school and even work harder.

I like school very much and I love all my teachers because they are very dedicated and willing to help me at any time. My favorite subject at school is chemistry because I love the chemistry teacher best. He explains his lessons very well. I always have good scores at chemistry and my teacher is happy with me. However, I would like to be a police officer in the future and be able to protect people against anything that is bad. [With this job I would also be able to] get money and support my family by building them a house or buying a motorcycles.

My parents are very supportive to my studies. They are very willing to let me continue school. Therefore, i am so proud of both of them. My father sometimes goes and see our principal and talks with him about my scores. Whenever he sees my scores, he feels proud of me because in my village every father likes to tell his friends how good his children are in school.

I want to honor my father through my scores every single time he talks with my principal about them. I am thankful to Mali Rising Foundation donors for their generosity that can help us change our lives. “