NIAMANA VILLAGE

Being a rural area where 80% of parents are not educated, girls schooling is a priority in Niamana unlike in many other parts of Mali. Niamana is tackling the problem of gender inequality. For instance, women seat now in management bodies of the village council and the community health centre board which did not exist before. The Mayor of Niamana has requested that female students are given preference to places in schools over boys to increase the number of female students in Niamana.                                                                                       

Progress so far:

• Already four concrete classrooms
• Demolition of original 2 mud classrooms that was falling down.
• Community, mayor, and chief all value education
• Mayor pushing for gender equality in the school
• German fundraising paid for the construction of two classrooms to replace the mud.
• Willingness of the community to partner to achieve
• The director of the secondary school is visionary and committed
• Purchase and assembly of 90 tables/ benches for the classrooms
• Some supplies have been given including (5 rulers, 9 chalk boxes, dictionary, 5 locks for the classrooms, student blackboards)    
  
  Future Strategy:                                                                                                                     
  2009:
• 3 Teacher Trainings (March, September, Dec)
• Materials and supplies for the school (textbooks)  
  
  2010:  
•  Income from responsible tourism trips visiting the village 
•  Increase materials and supplies for school

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please keep the grey box and what is in it except add a dot point that says “become a supporter of the Mali Initiative  

Please also keep the list about what your dollar can buy and then insert the following text  

Become a supporter of the Mali Initiative As an official supporter of the Mali Initiative you can make a difference to the initiatives in Mali through your financial contribution. This is an exciting opportunity to grow with us as part of the Mali Initiative Foundation all for just $12.50 per month (tax deductible)). As part of the Foundation you will receive: 

• The chance to support the Mali projects you are passionate about: education, micro-credit and/or leadership development 
• the opportunity to get to know the Malian visionaries who bring dreams to life, through our newsletters full of photographs and stories 
• discounted prices to Mali Initiative Events and Trips 
• confidence that 100% of your contribution goes to the completion of sustainable projects in Mali 
• a welcome gift from the Mali Initiative and a receipt for your tax records  

You can also choose which project you would like to directly support for the year: Education: supporting underprivileged children to have access to quality education Micro-credit: making it possible for more passionate and dedicated women to start their own businesses  Leadership development: supporting the development of young Malians to make a difference in their communities through new projects.  

One off donations to the Mali Initiative are also greatly appreciated. Please use the attached form to support.