Blog — Mali Rising Foundation

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Day 5 of Resolve to Be Involved: Celebrate

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I am of the opinion that we don’t resolve to incorporate joy and exploration into our lives enough. That changes with today’s Resolve to be Involved. Over the last five days of the month, we’re going to help you out with a series of ways you can Resolve to be Involved with Mali Rising — five easy ways to help others. The five ways: Connect, Volunteer, Share Give, and Celebrate. We are on Day 5, our final day, here so we’re asking you to resolve to Celebrate!

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Wow! We're Soooooo Close

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First, thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has already donated to the Days of Giving Campaign. The good news is that, because of you, we exceeded our initial goal, and that means a lot of girls in school, a lot of textbooks, more skilled teachers, and a lot more goodness. Thank you!

But if you haven't given yet, there's more good news! The Johnson Family was so inspired by the Mali Rising community's generosity that they have extended their matching grant -- they will now match all donations up to $20,000! We've also extended the deadline to November 9 to give you a little more time to help us get that match for our students.

Volunteers Needed! Write a Note of Encouragement...or Twenty

Looking for something fun but meaningful to do as a volunteer? We have the easiest-entry project ever for you - write notes of encouragement to our students in Mali! We provide instructions and you write short notes (and add photos, stickers, etc. if you like), scan the notes and send them to us. Learn more and sign up here.

Donate Your Birthday to Mali's Kids

I recently turned 50. (Seriously, ack.) But it was the most satisfying birthday I’ve ever had. Why? I donated my birthday to the kids of Mali Rising! You can do that too! It is so easy to do. I personally love biology and learning about the natural world, so I decided to raise funds for natural science (like our biology class) textbooks for students at a Mali Rising school that had ZERO natural science books. My goal was to raise funds for 50 books , but in the end my wonderful friends donated 180 books!

Graduated Girls Serve as Inspiring Ambassadors

A group of girl graduates from our Denik Middle School recently returned to their home village to inspire girls currently attending the school to study hard, all under the guise of a friendly soccer match. Meet two of the inspiring graduates who attended and inspired our Girls’ Project participants to study hard and dream big.

Friday Fun Facts About Mali

By Merritt Frey, Executive Director

I recently had my 7 year anniversary as the Executive Director of Mali Rising…it is hard to believe! The anniversary has me thinking about how much I’ve learned over those years and how much I’ve grown to respect the people of Mali and love the culture of the country. On this cold Friday morning when I feel so far away from the warmth of the climate and people, I thought I’d share a few fun Mali facts to help you know the country a little better too.

This great picture is the perfect reminder of my first trip to Mali in 2016. This is the women of Simidji - home to Mali Rising’s Sue Chung Chui Middle School, Mali Rising staff member Hindaty, board member Jill, and me (bottom left/center).

FACT #1
Mali’s name comes from the Bambara word for hippopotamus, which can be found in the Niger River that winds its way through the country. As a side note, the name of Mali’s capital, Bamako, comes from the Bambara word meaning "place of crocodiles" or in some interpretations “the tail of the crocodile.”

FACT #2
Although today Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world, it used to be one of the very richest. Its great wealth was built on trading of salt and gold and the country was a center of scholarship and learning. (https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/10-interesting-facts-about-mali.html)

FACT #3
The prime meridian passes through the city of Gao in Mali. This means you can stand with one foot in each hemisphere if you visit Gao! (https://www.onhisowntrip.com/most-interesting-facts-about-mali/)

FACT #4
Mali achieved independence from France (which colonized much of West Africa) in 1960. This makes Mali quite a new democracy, and the legacy of colonization continues to cause issues today.

FACT #5
Mali’s economy is largely based on agriculture, with cotton being the primary export crop. Approximately 80% of the population is involved in farming or fishing as their main livelihood. Gold mining also contributes a significant amount to the country’s exports. Together, gold and cotton make up approximately 80% of the country’s exports. (http://justfunfacts.com/interesting-facts-about-mali/ and https://www.economy.com/mali/indicators).

Every country and every place has a complicated history and context. It has been a pleasure to have the chance to learn a little bit about Mali each year and to have my understanding of the place and people grow at the same time. It is such a good reminder to always be curious about how we are all the same and how we are all different!

Inspired by what you’ve read? Donate to Mali Rising to be part of keeping this work going!

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History & Culture of One Mali Ethnic Group: the Soninké

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In Mali, your ethnic group is a point of pride and connection. In our schools, we see students from a wide range of ethnic groups learning side-by-side – embracing their own history and culture while also enjoying the diversity of Mali. Today, I want to share the history of my ethnic group and a little of its culture, because I come from a very large Soninké family from Mali in the Kayes region.