Blog — Mali Rising Foundation

Teacher Project

New Learning Kits Enliven the Classroom

Because basic tools such as textbooks, maps, educational diagrams, or science materials are missing from Mali classrooms, teachers are really limited in how they can prepare and deliver their lessons. But Mali Rising Foundation has long worked to provide textbooks to our classrooms, but this year we added additional tools provided in kits we loan out to schools for two weeks at a time. We provide two types of Learning Kits to our schools – a Language Kit and a Science Kit. The Language Kit provides resources for teaching both French and English, including books, flashcards, and more. The Science Kit is packed full of scientific drawings, tools for active learning like magnifying glasses and rulers, and other tools. We also provided written instruction sheets that give the teachers multiple ideas about how they can easily incorporate the Kit tools into their lessons.

Mr. Mallé Wins Most Helpful Teacher

Mali Rising teachers work hard to help students and change lives. In Mali’s rural schools, teachers face many challenges such as the lack of electricity, limited teaching tools, poor housing and classrooms, a large number of students in one classroom (often 100 and up!), and more. In spite of all these challenges, many teachers just enjoy helping kids and have great relationships with parents and village leaders. Mali Rising has established annual awards to recognize this dedication and hard work. This year we honored Mr. Mallé Brehima with the Most Helpful Teacher Award.

Good Principals Make Good Schools

Mr. Konaté is one of our principals who impresses us with their great school results and strong relationships with their partners like school committee, local educational department, and non-governmental organizations. At a recent Principal Peer Meeting, we had a chance to talk with him about his school and how he runs it so well.

Get to Know Denik Middle School's French Teacher (aka, the Rooster!)

Denik Middle School of Zambougou has not only been a tremendous help to the people of Zambougou, but also a great relief for Mr. Diarra. Abdoul Salam Diarra has been teaching French in Zambougou for 5 years. Mr. Diarra is married and is the father of a two-year-old boy. He lives in Ouelessebougou, which is about 10 km from the school. Mr. Diarra loves all his family and enjoys working with all his everyone in Denik Middle School of Zambougou….

Get to know Adama, Teacher Project Coordinator

Our staff in Mali do all the hard and interesting work that our supporters make possible. They work hard — traveling rough roads, dealing with the heat, and breathing in the dust of Mali’s countryside. But they do it with grace and with a sense of purpose that comes from knowing they are helping kids just like themselves have a chance at an education. We want you to get to know these great people a bit better, so we took a recent chance to interview Adama Kone, our Teacher Project Coordinator. Please enjoy this video blog to learn more about his work with our teachers, what he's doing to fight COVID-19, and how popular Frisbee is in Mali (hint: not very).

Mariam, A Mali Rising Science Teacher

Mariam Dembelé is one of our brave female teachers in the middle school of Sue Chung Chiu Middle School in the village of Simidji. Thanks to our teacher sponsor donors, Mariam took part in our December 2019 teacher training. It was her first time at a training. Mariam is a science teacher and she enjoys her work so much! She has 4 years of teaching experience. At 23 years old, she is the mother of 2 children. Mariam loves her job because she loves children even though she thinks they are turbulent sometimes. Working as a teacher also allows her to support her family and come across with new people very often. Get to know Mariam more…

Video Chat with Adama: Health, Teachers, & More!

Join us via video link for a chat with our wonderful Teachers’ Project Coordinator, Adama Kone. Adama coordinates our Health Project (as well as the Teachers’ Project) so he will share the latest on what we’re doing in Mali about COVID-19. This will be an interactive talk about the work and how your support makes a difference in Mali. We will talk about our work with teachers, but also the creative ways Adama is working on COVID-19 in this fast-changing situation. We will also feature a few ways you can get more involved as a volunteer. We’ll devote plenty of time to answering your questions too — feel free to ask about Mali culture, programming, or anything you are curious about.