Visionary #1 – Youchaou Traore

As a small boy he was given to a Koranic teacher by his parents to be taught the Koran. Unfortunately his teacher (as many do in Mali) sent him out on the streets to beg for food and money which was taken from Youchaou to benefit the teacher. Youchaou spent his years wandering Mali in search of income for his teacher covering extraordinary distances as he went from village to village, even searching near the border of Burkina Faso.
In one village a kind man recognized Youchaou as the son of his friend and took him back to his village where he bought him up as his own son and provided him with an education.

It was through school that Youchaou learnt French. He then taught himself English to a standard where he could offer his services to international visitors needing translation on their missions to Mali. This provided income for him to support his family.

Youchaou’s vision, however, was to provide education to the poorest of the poor in Mali. So, he saved up some funds and founded Ecole Privee Youchaou in 2001, using a rundown shed to teach the students. In 2004, a chance encounter with filmmaker Paul Currie introduced Youchaou to the Mali Initiative. Through the supporters of the Mali Initiative, Youchaou has been able to see many of his dreams come true, including Ecole Privee Youchaou and the Street Kids Training Program

Often individuals with no more than a grade four education are employed as teachers in Mali.

We believe teacher training is a key to improving the quality of Mali’s education sector. We therefore hold training sessions with teachers that focus on improving the teachers’ skills and techniques to engage and educate their students in the classroom. Through interactive and experiential workshops, teachers learn cutting-edge pedagogical techniques from around the world. Furthermore, in urban areas we include computer training, giving teachers the opportunity to learn how to use information technology and the internet.

The Mali Initiative’s Teacher Training Program includes following-up and supporting each teacher when they go back into the classroom. The follow-up ensures teachers have the means to continue developing their skills to become more effective teachers. We partner with local representatives of the Ministry of Education which officially has the responsibility for teacher training.

Already implemented: We have conducted several trainings with all teachers in our primary and secondary school in Kalabancoro.

Planned: We plan to undertake training of teachers from schools all over the Kalabancoro district in 2008.  [If you would like to support this program (link)]


[Photo: maybe add one of kids in a classroom with their hands up/smiles]