Mali – The Tandana Foundation Blog

Positive marks: Tandana’s displaced student’s program finishes its first school year

In its pilot year, The Tandana Foundation’s program to help students’ whose families have fled to Bandiagara from ongoing insecurity in other parts of Mali continue their education was largely successful. The majority of the 75 students passed to the next grade year and every participating family was grateful for the support they received through the new program.

Impressed by Tandana’s unique approach, he’s now taken on a long-term role in Mali

In July 2023, Aly Ombotimbé joined The Tandana Foundation’s team as a security guard and facilities assistant in Mali. In this role, Ombotimbé provides security for the organization’s Bandiagara office, welcomes visitors, organizes meals and supplies, sends and receives mail, and assists the team with other tasks as needed.

Meet Tandana’s scholarship coordinator who herself experienced the challenges of pursuing education in Mali

Staying in school and obtaining a professional career is not easy in Mali, and it’s even harder for girls. A combination of the country’s financial, political, and food instability as well as gender inequalities have caused enrollment and literacy rates to be among the lowest in the world.

Profound changes through women’s literacy and leadership programs

Participants of the women’s literacy, leadership, and enterprise programs – organized by The Tandana Foundation in the Tommoguiné region of Mali – recently shared the benefits they have experienced and witnessed through these programs. Thousands of women are gaining power in their lives, in the market, and in their communities.

Why I donated toward Tandana’s water projects in Ecuador and Mali

Full disclosure: I began thinking about what I would write to raise awareness of “exciting matching opportunities” that are available for The Tandana Foundation’s fundraisers to support the completion of community water projects in Mali and Ecuador.

Celebrating 15 Years of Intercultural Friendship: The Value of Stories

In recognition of The Tandana Foundation’s 15th anniversary, we are creating 15 videos featuring cherished members of the organization’s global family. Published in a series of 15 posts on this blog, these videos will highlight key aspects of Tandana’s philosophy, community partnerships, and impactful work that has been done, along with projects still in progress. The videos will serve as a meaningful way to reflect back on what has been accomplished in 15 years as well as provide insight into the Tandana’s future in the next 15 years.

Women gaining power in their lives, in the market, and in their communities

There is a newfound confidence among many women across the Tommoguiné region of Mali. They are calling out cheaters in the markets, joining together to form income-generating associations, and not only attending township hall meetings, but becoming leaders in their villages.

These abilities are thanks to their own determination and ambition, bolstered by their participation in the women’s literacy, leadership, and enterprise programs organized by The Tandana Foundation in the region. Below, five women participants share the benefits they have experienced and witnessed through these programs.

Tandana scholarship students in Ecuador and Mali sow seeds of intercultural friendship

They may live in vastly different countries, oceans apart, but the post-secondary students soon found out they had much in common, including motivation, perseverance, and ambitious goals for what they wanted to achieve in life.

Never too young for intercultural friendships

“This dance is called the Sandyeli. It is used to show joy. We’re dancing to show that we’re so glad to meet you!”

Following in the footsteps of Tandana’s Founding Director

In the following, literacy instructor Fatouma Kouriba shares an inspiring anecdote about meeting Tandana’s Founding Director.

Hear the latest about the great work of the Olougelemo Association in Mali

Focused on protecting the environment, the Olougelemo Association has grown to 30 villages around the Wadouba Township of Mali. Their work is not only having a visible impact on protecting and regenerating forests and on the productivity of agricultural areas, but it’s also changing local perceptions.

Below, hear from two members of the Olougelemo Association about what they have been able to accomplish.

Leading Tandana’s transformation from dream to trusted partner in Mali

Moussa Tembiné remembers how it started: He and The Tandana Foundation’s Founding Director talking about a dream they had for how they could partner with villages in rural Mali to carry out important community projects, and people laughing at them, thinking there was no way that dream would come true.

Pond expansions help provide needed food support during lean season

Last year, members of villages in Wadouba Township of Mali expanded a number of stock ponds by hand with support from The Tandana Foundation. The goal of the effort, which was organized by the village-run Olougelemo Association, was to help combat the impacts of an urgent food crisis facing the region by both providing needed food aid and supplies at that time as well as contributing to the production of more food later on.

What has changed the lives of these women in Mali?

There have now been 2,700 participants in the women’s literacy and numeracy classes and 550 participants in the women’s leadership workshops that were launched by The Tandana Foundation in partnership with communities in rural Mali. In addition, Tandana also helps support 60 women’s associations that have been started in the villages.

Below, three women discuss the impactful benefits of these efforts on both the women who have participated in them and the whole community.

Hear about the newest grain banks ‘of happiness’ in Mali

In partnership with The Tandana Foundation, the villages of Sal Sombougou and Komeogou in Mali have created their own grain banks. Hear what residents have to say about these projects.

Tandana embarks on pilot program to support internally displaced students in Mali

Today, many people across Mali are living in a climate of concern, mistrust, and sometimes open conflict amid terrorism and violence. Hundreds of school-age children have fled their homes with their families and sought refuge in cities and towns. Even in the relative safety of the towns, they are experiencing incredible challenges, including the ability to continue their education.

Members of the Tandana community discuss desires and goals for next year

As the calendar turns to 2023, so do thoughts on what the new year will bring. There are certainly many projects in process or on the horizon for The Tandana Foundation and its community partners in Ecuador and Mali.

Members of the Tandana community reflect on a meaningful year

From providing access to clean water in Ecuador to building a new health center in Mali, The Tandana Foundation and its partner communities have accomplished a lot together in 2022.

Learn about the blooming school gardens in Saredina and Ondogou

The Tandana Foundation helped support the creation of school gardens in the rural communities of Saredina and Ondogou, Mali in late December 2020. Both gardens have been highly successful, bearing many fruits and vegetables that are providing nourishment to the students while also allowing them to earn money for school supplies and teaching them about gardening.

Exceeding expectations: Results of the pond expansion work in Mali

As a food crisis worsened in the Dogon Plateau of Mali earlier this year, residents joined together to expand a number of stock ponds by hand at sites across four sectors of Wadouba Township. Their work was part of an inventive food security plan developed by the village-run Olouguelemo Association in partnership with The Tandana Foundation to expand the ponds so that more water could be conserved during the rainy season and used for gardening and livestock.

The abundance of the Tegou school garden

The Tandana Foundation helped support the village in creating a garden at the school in Tegou, Mali. Students at the school are tending the garden, and it is already producing a variety of fruits and vegetables, including manioc – an important source of carbohydrates.

Below, hear from several of those involved in the Tegou school about how the garden is not only providing the students with nutritious food, but also teaching valuable lessons and generating income to purchase needed school supplies.

First aid stations in Mali are increasing attendance, improving health, and supporting teachers

When thinking about barriers to education, worrying about getting injured biking to school and not being about to receive treatment nearby may not be top-of-mind. However, in rural Mali, young students not having reliable access to basic medical care at their school has caused many to miss class, repeat a year, or even dropout entirely.

Four Ash B. Varma, M.D. scholars report on their experiences over the past year

Helping to fill a void for trained healthcare providers in rural Mali, several students in the Ash B. Varma, M.D. Scholarship Program are well on their way to becoming needed medical professionals. Thanks to the scholarship support, the students, who are enrolled in professional training programs, are learning important skills and gaining experience caring for patients.

Hear stories about the benefits of the Sal Health Center to children

Since the Sal Heath Center was opened in Mali earlier this year, many patients from around the Sal Sector’s five villages have been receiving needed medical care. Many of those patients have been children, who previously lacked access to local and reliable healthcare. The center, which was made possible through the efforts of village residents in partnership with The Tandana Foundation and its generous donors, is now providing care to those children and relieving the danger and worries associated with traveling to far away health centers.

The need for a school in the village of Dani

The village of Dani in the Bandiagara District of Mali has 240 students spanning six grade levels and three teachers assigned to deliver their education; however, there is no elementary school for the students and teachers in Dani. As a result, the teachers have to find space wherever they can to conduct their classes and educate their students outside a classroom environment.

The positive feedback on the urgent pond expansion work in Mali

With a food crisis worsening in their region, residents of villages around the Dogon Plateau of Mali have taken up shovels and other tools to expand a number of stock ponds by hand so that more water can be conserved during the rainy season and used for gardening and livestock. Their efforts toward food security are part of an innovative plan being carried out by the village-run Olouguelemo Association and supported by The Tandana Foundation, which has launched a campaign to raise an additional $28,000 to allow for more ponds to be expanded.

Tandana launches fundraising campaign to help communities in Mali combat urgent food crisis

A combination of geopolitical events, political instability and violence, and the effects of climate change is causing a food crisis to intensify in Mali. The impact of this food crisis is being especially felt in the remote Dogon Plateau of Mali, where many people have fled to escape conflict in other areas, and staple grains such as millet have disappeared from markets.

Hear from six more Dr. Ash B. Varma, M.D. Scholarship students

Last year, The Tandana Foundation welcomed 18 motivated and inspiring students into its first cohort of students in the Dr. Ash B. Varma, M.D. Scholarship Program in Mali. Made possible by a generous gift from Dr. Ash B. Varma, M.D., the new scholarship program helps students from rural Mali learn professions that are very needed in the rural communities, such as healthcare and agrofrestry.

When you support a woman to be a teacher, you support much more

The school in Andjine, Mali has three teachers assigned by the government, but the number of students in first through sixth grades at the school keeps growing. Salimata Karembe, who is from Andjine and trained as a teacher, began volunteering to help the school. Now, she is contracted as a local teacher for the third and fourth grades. The Tandana Foundation covers half of Salimata’s salary, while the parents pay the other half, so that she can continue at the school. Salimata also participated in Tandana’s women’s literacy and leadership programs and is a great role model for the students.

The Olouguelemo Association advances towards the goals of water access and food security

As the Olouguelemo Association continues to grow its membership, the organization continues its efforts to tackle a wide-rage of environmental challenges across the Wadouba Township of Mali with support from The Tandana Foundation. Two important issues that the village-run association is taking on are lack access to water and food insecurity. Below, hear from village residents about important advances that several of the association’s recent projects supported by Tandana – the rehabilitation of two wells and anti-erosion contour lines – have made toward providing access to water and food security.

Celebrating 15 Years of Intercultural Friendship: A New Health Center

In Mali, women are thriving as community leaders and entrepreneurs after participating in important Tandana-supported programs

Women across many villages in rural Mali have become powerful community leaders and successful businesswomen following the leadership and governance training in the workshops organized by The Tandana Foundation. While they learn skills to be community and business leaders, they are also increasing their confidence, independence, success in economic activities, and recognition as agents of local decision-making. Many of them have also joined the women’s associations supported by Tandana to conduct their income-generating activities.

Four inspiring participants of the leadership workshops share their personal stories below.

A new grain bank promises to supply millet between the harvests in Nounou

In many villages across the Bandiagara Township of Mali, it has become impossible to harvest enough millet to last through the year. During the difficult rainy season, many families have run out of their own harvest, just when they need the most calories for hard work cultivating the next crop. Village residents have to travel long distances to purchase grain at exorbitant prices. To overcome these difficulties, the Nounou community has long-desired a grain bank, and they recently partnered with The Tandana Foundation to open one. Below, hear about the need and benefit of the new grain bank from Dene Tapily, who is a member of its leadership committee.

Hear about the ‘perfect harmony’ and success from the Komberou women’s association

The Tandana Foundation has supported the creation of many women’s associations to support women with their income-generating activities throughout the Bandiagara District of Mali. Below, hear from one participant from Komberou about how successful their association has been compared to other associations that have been started in her village but lack the oversight and camaraderie found in the Tandana-organized groups.

Disrupting injustice through Tandana’s women’s literacy classes in Mali

The positive results of the literacy, numeracy, and women’s leadership courses supported by the Tandana Foundation continue to spread across the Bandiagara District of Mali as more and more women participate in the programming. Below, hear from one participant about the benefits she has experienced and how her knowledge allowed her to stop an injustice.