Sounds from the Ground: Bla, Mali, Part 2

Part 2 - November 2009
Welcome back to Bla – a small village in the Sikasso region of Mali.

The Task: Sifting Sand

As outlined in the buildOn Covenant, which you learned about last month, community members provide local materials. Sand is one of those local materials and is collected from riverbeds in order to make concrete. Before it can be mixed with cement, the community members sift the sand to remove any debris and large pebbles. Small sticks will break down over time and weaken the structure. buildOn schools are made to last 100 years so all of the sticks and other organic matter must be removed.

Piles and piles of sand must be sifted before it can be combined with water and cement.

Meet: Sulemane Togola

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

Sulemane was not born in Mali, but in the Ivory Coast. His parents left their homeland to find work on the plantations in the neighboring country. Without education, they were unable to find work in their own country and had no choice but to work long, hot days for very little money on a plantation. Sulemane started working on the plantation at age 10.

When asked why he was helping to build the school he said, “It is very important. In the past people didn’t know the importance of building schools. The school gives a person value. I attended school up until the 6th grade. Because of that, I am able to read and write in French and can help with the administration of the village. People rely on me because I have that skill.”