Sounds from the Ground: Bla, Mali

Part 1 - October 2009
The Second Task: Digging the Foundation

The most labor-intensive part of the school construction process is digging the foundation. This very difficult task is usually accomplished in just a few days because the community comes out in larger numbers to start off the project.

Meet: Saidou Togola

I ni ce!– Greetings in Bambara, the language spoken in the Sikasso region of Mali!

Saidou Togola is a 30 year-old father to one child. As is the custom in Mali, he has two wives who bore him five children in total. One of his children died after just 15 days of life and the other four were toddlers when they died. Because there is no health clinic or doctor in the village, Saidou and his wives are unsure of the causes of death.

Saidou himself suffered from measles as a child, which has resulted in a handicap to his foot. In spite of this challenge, Saidou works hard swinging the pickaxe in order to create a strong foundation upon which the school will rest. When asked why he is working so hard he responds, “We all came to help and to give it our best. This school is the future of our village. I wish that all kids in this school will have the opportunity to do more things and help the village develop.”

Saidou is hopeful that an education for his son will give him a life free from preventable childhood diseases.

Why Schools?

Education is one of the most powerful, long-term, and sustainable solutions that the world has to reduce global poverty and improve the lives of the 1.2 billion people living on less than $1 a day. It can provide people with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthy and productive lives as well as promote economic and political stability.

Educated mothers are 50% more likely to immunize their children against polio, chicken pox, measles, and other common childhood diseases.