inspiration

A Scholarship for Strong Women

In the complicated moments of life, some people show great kindness in helping and supporting those in need. These kind and supportive people are few in our world all too often individualistic. Mali Rising’s Strong Woman Scholarships are a legacy of love from two incredible sisters in North America.

Young People Of The U.S. -- Lead On!

By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

Are you a high school student looking for something unique and special for your college applications? We can help!

We are currently accepting applications for school year 19/20 Youth Ambassadors — deadline August 31, 2019.

Any high school student in the United States is eligible to apply. During the year-long program, Ambassadors learn about Mali and Mali Rising’s work, meet other young leaders from around the country, talk directly with Mali Rising’s field staff to learn first-hand what international development really means, develop their leadership and communication skills, and so much more.

Importantly, Youth Ambassadors also give back through their year of ambassador-hood. All Youth Ambassadors commit to tackling at least one activity from each of three categories during the Ambassador year:

  1. Education/outreach. Examples may include: doing a presentation to a school class or youth organization, getting their school involved in the Make the Case for Caring Essay Contest, becoming a Mali Rising social media STAR, etc.

  2. Fundraising. Examples may include: conducting a personal fundraising drive, participating in our virtual walk-a-thon (Miles for Mali), helping with a school-based fundraiser, etc.

  3. Service. Examples may include: creating English language flashcards for Mali students, coordinating a drive for “welcome back to school” letters for Mali students, making a component of menstrual kits, etc. Mali Rising will provide a set of ready-made options for service projects, but Ambassadors may also propose their own projects to the Advisory Council.

Learn more or apply with our quick and easy online form. Twenty Ambassador slots are available until filled. Apply by August 31 (late applications may be considered, if space allows).

Inspiration Scholar Kadia Tackles Nursing School

Meet Kadia, one of five young women who received Strong Woman Scholarships through the Inspiration Scholars Project. Kadia is a 17-year-old graduate of Mali Rising’s Tim Gibson Middle School in the little village of Sebela in southern Mali. Kadia stood out at school from the beginning, and has continued to be a great student in nursing school. Learn more about how Kadia is doing…

Remembering A Sister; Changing Young Women's Lives

When we lose someone we love, we often want to find a way to help their memory live on. There are many ways to keep that memory alive. I wanted to share one way a Mali Rising supporter, who is also my mom, decided to keep her sister’s memory alive. Both my mom and my aunt have been supporters of Mali Rising’s Girl Project, but I think we’ve all been surprised at just how much my mom’s idea for making sure my aunt’s belief in the power of young women lived on has mattered to us since we lost Aunt Chris.

The Kids You'll Help in N'Goko

Our supporters are always excited about building a new school — there’s something, well, concrete, about making a donation and seeing a building rise from the red soil of Mali. But what is really exciting about a new school is not the bricks and mortar, but the hundreds — and even thousands — of kids that school will serve. We are currently fundraising for a middle school for the children of N’Goko, so I wanted to share short stories from just a few of the great kids your donation will help.