By Adama Kone, Teacher Project Manager

Being a middle school principal is a hard job no matter where you are. But being one in Mali is particularly tough! Mali Rising principals are in remote places, far from their families or professional support. They manage young teachers and parents who are often unfamiliar with the education system. Many have classes with 100+ students in them. Sometimes, a principal needs a little support and maybe just a little fun when they face this reality day to day!

A Mali Rising donor wanted to find a way to give just that to our principals this year — an experience that would make them feel like someone saw just how hard they worked. So with that donor’s support we set up a year-end party for the principals. We gathered 19 principals at a national park outside of Bamako for a day of relaxing, good food, games, and awards. The principals also had a chance to visit the national zoo!

The day was a big success, but don’t take my word for it! I spoke with the principal of Little Heroes Academy I, Djenebou Coulibaly. In addition to being a school principal Mrs. Coulibaly also teaches English at Little Heroes Academy I . Mrs Coulibaly shared her enthusiasm with us during the party. Her is her feedback in her own words:

I feel ecstatic that I got a chance to come here today to this invitation of Mali Rising Foundation. I am really honored and I am enjoying the time so much. I am the only female principals among eighteen others here today but I am not less important because this also means that women can be wherever men can go or even go farther than men sometimes ! I am enjoying everything so far and I hope all my colleagues are enjoying too.

I had not come here [the national park] for walk for several years but I wanted to! So this opportunity has come in the right time because the place is relaxing. I love to be around my colleagues because it makes me like my job even more by listening to them telling stories about their schools and even their own lives.

We just left the zoo where I got to see many types of wild animals and some pets. I had not seen those animals for many years and I had been looking forward to seeing them so much. I liked the monkey and the elephant the most in the zoo because they looked more energetic to me and I naturally love them. I was afraid of snakes a little bit even though they were in covered cages and could not bite. There was a huge one that I was afraid of the most. I think it was a cobra ! It was very big and black and he kept moving his head in the cage. I was honestly afraid of that one the most.

 I would say that this party has been an excellent idea from Mali Rising Foundation because I got to meet new principals that I never met before and I am making new friends already like this guy right here in the jacket. He is a principal too but we had never had a chance to chat and enjoy time together like this before. He is very funny and has a good heart.

I have got a new friend again thanks to Mali Rising Foundation. The reason why I personally encourage Mali Rising Foundation to continue this kind of party even if it is only once a year because we do not often get this chance. It is incredibly useful in terms of connecting us to each other and making us feel proud of our great relationship with Mali Rising Foundation. Thank you for everything, Mali Rising Foundation!