Building a Well in Mali

My name is Moussa Diakite. Originally from Mali, West Africa, I am the C.E.O and founder of "Lifting Up the World". In my life, I have been no stranger to helping people in poverty. After coming to the United States and becoming a U.S citizen, in 2012, I visited my hometown in Mali for the first time in 11 years.

During my visit there, I witness some of the most heartbreaking images I have ever witnessed in my adult life. I witnessed children no older than 13 years old, in the middle of the night begging.

These children barely had any clothes and were begging total strangers. They were trying to get a couple of coins to get food for their family.

They started telling me about their current living conditions and daily struggles. I was so bothered that I couldn’t sleep the rest of my time in Mali. I then brought them a bag of rice and some groceries.

I also had some friends and family help me package the food and hand it out to the local children. The joy I saw in their eyes made me so happy.  It meant the world to me and is part of my motivation to help make a difference.

That’s when I decided to make a change. I couldn’t wait to come back to the States. I was determined to get people involved and help me with my cause.

So I decided to start "Lifting Up the World," a non-profit organization focused on helping people in poverty. Not only in my country but in the U.S and around the world.

My short term goal is to install as many clean water pumps as possible in small villages with difficult access to water in Mali. My main focus for 2018 is to set up a fundraiser to help me install at least one clean water pumps in a small village in Mali to build trust. Clean water is very important to us because Mali is a landlocked country with vast deserts and a long dry-season where many people lack access to clean water and sanitation. It's one of the poorest countries in the world and has both a high risk of infectious disease and the world’s seventh highest infant mortality rate, at 77.6 deaths per 1000 live births.

For families in Mali, the first step out of poverty begins with clean water.

To access water, villagers are forced to walk for over an hour to the nearest water source and back with heavy 5 to 10 gallon jugs on their head - an unimaginable task for those of us who can easily access water from our taps. 



I did some research on where water is needed the most in Bamako, Mali. I found a great site in Bakaribougou, Koulikoro where the pumps will be very much appreciated. Check out the videos and photos posted of the site. Your donation will help build this clean water well.


Everyday as I work and meet new people I spread the awareness to help me fight poverty. Every piece of advice and every single donation helps so much.

I would really appreciate if you can help me with a donation to help me accomplish this goal for 2018.

To learn more about my nonprofit you can visit my instagram @liftinguptheworld or my website at www.lutw-inc.org .