As a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Bara, Mali (West Africa), my host family welcomed me as a daughter: they would not allow me to pay monthly rent or pay for any groceries for the two years I lived with them. I've kept in touch with my host family in Mali through phone calls and WhatsApp since I came home in 2009--the little kids have grown up, pursued education, married, and had children, and my host parents have aged. Please help me support my incredible host family in a move from the village to the city as life in the village has become unsustainable due to harsh climate conditions and insecurity in the region.

The funds raised will be used to purchase a plot of land in the regional capital, Gao, to build a house (similar to the picture above), and to pay for moving the family and belongings. Any funds above and beyond the project goal will be used for the ongoing support of my host family's living expenses.