Mali kid’s project
I was so moved by the trip to Mali. The project has really taken root in the community and kids come charging across to the Workshop all through the day.
Younger children have a literacy lesson in the mornings and then play while the older kids go to work or school. Between lessons they run back over, grabbing a football or playing music.
Then in the evenings, once work finishes and school shuts, the crowds swell. Kids are kids wherever you are and they laugh, scream, shout and chase each other about. But once Amadou and the band start to play they gather round, singing along and dancing the dust into a storm. It is really beautiful.
We took massive amounts over with us – from football goals to colouring books, dolls to world maps. It is great to see the kids exploring the new toys – and confidence-inspiring to see the way Amadou dealt with the demands of so many children.
To build the project we invested in a generator and lighting so that lessons and music could go on later (the sun sets by 7pm everyday). We’ve also found a mentor with years of experience in Mali with the Peace Corp and Plan International. He is onboard to help with land purchases, access to services and any problems we encounter – thanks Modibo!
More to come…!
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