My name is Molly Hanrahan, and I’m the Monitoring and Evaluation Intern for Mali Rising this summer. I just finished my first year at the University of Utah, and I’m hoping to go into global health, public health, or the nonprofit world. When looking for opportunities for this summer, I was drawn to Mali Rising, as I’m sure many of you were, because the work they do is important and inspiring….
Walking & Thinking With Miles for Mali
By Merritt Frey, Executive Director
This month as part of our Miles for Mali campaign, I’ve pledged to walk (and run) 160 miles. Miles for Mali is using this virtual walking event to raise funds to build a school for the children of the little village of Sankama in southern Mali.
Long walks to school are a challenge for Mali's kids, but that doesn't mean there isn't some fun to be had on the road.
I’m pretty active (and I have a young border collie to keep me motivated), so the actual distance hasn’t been too much of a challenge thus far. I think my body actually really likes walking, so physically it has been all positive. Who knows, maybe I’ll finally drop those 5 pounds I gained when I took this job!
But timewise fitting in the distance has been more of a challenge. Squeezing in time in a busy day for a good walk is an on-going pressure. I’ve used Miles for Mali to motivate me to get out of bed on a Saturday and go for a good hike or to take an evening stroll with the dogs instead of zoning out with Netflix.
Those are small life adjustments, but it has really made me think about the reality for our students in Mali, who have to find the time to do these walks every school day, all school year long.
On average, before Mali Rising builds a school with a partner village, the nearest school is 3 to 5 miles away on average – making for a 6 to 10 mile round-trip each day. And to fit that in around a school day that runs from 8am to 5pm, extensive chores at home, and finding a bit of time to actually do homework…well, you can see where students struggle.
Building a school for the kids of Sankama will make their commute easy so they can focus their time on learning, and on being a kid. Currently, about 90 percent of students in Sankama drop out after elementary school because they just can’t do the long walk to the nearest middle school.
Want to help? Support a school for Sankama! You can donate here or support one of our great Miles for Mali walkers here.
Kids Today...Are Pretty Awesome
The older generation tends to worry – or, let’s be honest, complain – about young people’s work ethic, energy, and even empathy. You can think of this as the “Kids today” cliché: “Kids today don’t think of others.” “Kids today don’t take initiative.” Etc., etc. Well Roshini Balan is proving just how cliché that thinking is.
Walk With Me...Miles for Mali
Starting one week from today, I've got a lot of ground to cover. Literally. As part of Mali Rising's Miles for Mali walking challenge, I've pledged to walk 160 miles in May. Gulp. Why?
Thank You a Thousand Times...
3 Friday Fun Clips
Do Something Good With Your Summer -- Intern With Us!
Meet Our Newest Board Member!
We've been remiss in introducing Mali Rising's newest member of the board of directors -- Courtney Colter. Courtney joined our board last fall, and jumped right into the thick of things by filling her table at the annual Soiree with generous friends and family. Since then, she's been helping out by lending her expertise in finance to make sure we're running a tight ship. In fact, at our January board meeting Courtney was elected our board Treasurer.
A Little Secret: The Most Fun Way to Support Mali Rising's Kids
Ready For Some Friday Fun? So Are We.
It's Friday afternoon here at Mali Rising's U.S. offices and we're feeling a little slap-happy. So, I thought I'd share a short video from our recent school expedition in Mali. Please feel free to laugh as I try to learn that most basic of skills for a Mali woman -- how to carry water on my head. A three-year-old child can do it. But can I?
