Build much needed classrooms in Niamana, Mali

Location:	Niamana, Segou, Mali
Category:	Education
Published:	29 January 2008
Progress:	100% funded
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Rating:	20 Ratings

Although there are three schools in Niamana Bambara; two small primary schools and one small secondary school, there is still around 80 to 100 students per class and many students miss out all together simply because there isn't enough room.

Most students come from other villages in the nearby and stay during the day in Niamana Bambara as they come from a distance. Some children walk 6 or 7 km every day to go to school and do the same thing to come back home. There is a health care centre, one borehole and a pond in the village.

The climate is Sahelian characterized by very low and irregular rainfalls. The main activity of the area is agriculture which depends on rainfalls. A few farmers have some cattle and quite a few people do small business by selling goods in weekly markets. After the rainy season and harvest, most youth migrate in big cities in order to make some money because there is no other income generating activity in villages.

Being a rural area where 80% of parents are not educated, girls schooling is not a priority in Niamana like in many other parts of Mali. Parents prefer keeping girls home to help their mothers in house works. Gender issue is still a big problem in Niamana although changes can be seen in many parts. For instance, women seat now in management bodies of the village council and the community health centre board which did not exist before.

There is a great need to upgrade the schools in Niamana because there are not enough class rooms and equipment. There reason why there are not enough facilities for education keeps girls home. If there were enough class rooms or more schools in the area this will give a chance to more children to attend school especially girls. If more girls are educated, they are likely to take responsibility, leading roles and bring about changes.

The Mali Initiative needs funds to build two classrooms that would allow more children to go to school.

Supporters (13):

• 
  Christian
  I.
• 
  Michael T.
• 
  BINGOS.CO.–
  UK ..
• 
  J. Ade
• 
  A. Poloczek
• 
  S. Hirsch
• 
  C. Knörr

• 
  B. Bodenmü–
  ller
• 
  Judit W.
• 
  B. Brocks
• 3
  anonymous
  supporters

Supporting Teams (1):

Advocates (3):

• 

  j. nonnenmacher

  M

  Ich, bin der Schreiner Jens Nonnenmacher, der in Niamana die Tische und Stuehle baut Freue mich auf die Aufgabe:

• 

  C. Knörr

  M

  I know Mr. Nagler for a long time. We he explained me about his intention, vision regarding his project -> I have been impressed and decided that I will transfer some money as well. I have to say that this is the 1st time in my life ever! I 100% trust Mr. Nagler and his colleagues that they realize their mission and establish a better future for the mali kids. I have seen a few pictures already and it is amazing! Good luck to Mr. Nagler and his team

• 

  U. Merkes

  36/M • Munich, Germany

  The project is reliable, well structured, and supported by very enthusiastic people that I have known for a long time. Sustainability is ensured as it is none of these projects planned in a western 'ivory tower', but coneptualized and driven by Malian locals! Good thing to support! Go and visit the project!

Visitors (2):

• 

  Gordon F.

  34/M • Berlin, Germany

  Ich konnte mich bei meinem Besuch im November 2008 in Niamana vom Bau der Klassenzimmer und der benoetigten Einrichtung (Schulbaenke) ueberzeugen. Sowohl die Raeume selbst als auch die Schulbaenke waren bereits zum grossen Teil fertiggestellt und aus meiner Sicht spricht nichts gegen den zeitnahen Abschluss der Arbeiten. Bei ueber hundert Kindern in einem Raum und bis zu fuenf davon auf auf einer Schulbank ist der Bedarf einer Erweiterung deutlich ersichtlich. Zu erwaehnen ist jedoch, dass die Schaffung der Grundlagen fuer den Unterricht noch lange kein Garant fuer gute Bildung ist und die Nachhaltigkeit der Investion sollte, falls irgend moeglich, nicht aus den Augen verloren werden. So sieht man derzeit vor allem unterreichtsfreie Kinder ohne Beschaeftigung und dafuer gibt es selbst ohne Klassenraeume in meinem Augen keine Rechtfertigung. Raeume zu haben, heisst nicht das Unterricht darin stattfindet bzw. bringt nicht automatische eine gute Bildung mit sich. Es ist lediglich eine Grundvoraussetzung, die hoffentlich zu einer besseren Bildung der Kinder fuehrt.

• 

  Joana B.

  44/F • Berlin, Germany

  I visited Mali a few weeks ago and had the chance to get to know the people behind the Mali Initiative, Youchaou, Elise and Jürgen. We visited the first school Youchaou, an energetic local social entrepreneur, had initiated in a poor neighbouhood of Bamako and were greatly impressed. The school stands in stark contrast to most of the educational institutions in the country, not only being in a pleasant and well-equipped building, but also teaching enthusiastic children in classes consiting of 20, instead of the up to 100 students common in Mali. Youchaous work, supported by Elise and Jürgen, can make a real difference to the dire educational crisis in Mali, were the vast majority of children don't ever go to school at all.