The first few years of a child’s life are by far the most important. A statement published by UNICEF claims that in low-income countries only 1 in 5 young children are enrolled in preschool education. Neuroscientists also say that the human brain develops at its fastest rate in the first few years of life, with up to 80% of its development taking place in the first 5 years!

Access to preschool education in Mali is hindered by the difficulties associated with precarious socioeconomic conditions and vulnerability of many low-income families. Thus, in Mali the preschool education rate is only 10%, that’s one in ten children!

See Africa Grow has teamed up with Cercle de Réflexion Association Women’s Initiative (CRIF) in Bamako, Mali to address this serious problem by helping to start a kindergarten program in one of Bamako’s communes. This women’s group already works to educate underprivileged children and promotes health care and environmental initiatives for underserved populations in Bamako.

The women of the CRIF association are committed to offering equal opportunities for a quality preschool education to the children of the Commune IV municipality in general and to the poor in particular.

However, they lack the means to achieve the objectives they have set for themselves, that is, to recruit and train a total of 75 children including 25 children in the 1st year, 50 in the 2nd year and 75 in the 3rd year. Their ability to realize these objectives is limited by the finances needed for building construction, furnishing, materials, salaries, and lunch expenses.

So, on behalf of the women of CRIF in Bamako, Mali, See Africa Grow, Inc., a USA-based not-for-profit organization committed to meaningful and sustainable development in Africa, is soliciting your benevolence and support to start and sustain a kindergarten program in Bamako, Mali.

Our financial goal for this effort is $150,000 to support the initial construction, appropriate furnishing and equipment, and ongoing staffing expenses for five years, after which we expect the kindergarten project to be self-supporting for the most part. The following is a breakdown of how donated funds will be used:

Need

Amount

Phase

Finish Building Construction

$35,000

Initial

Desks, Chairs, Playground Equipment, Kitchen Appliances

$15,000

Initial

TOTAL

$50,000

Kickoff

Teachers & Staff Salaries

$12,000/yr

Ongoing

Food Supplies

$7,000/yr

Ongoing

Licensing, Taxes, Govt. Fees, etc

$500/yr

Ongoing

TOTAL

$19,500/yr

Sustain

See Africa Grow and CRIF will work jointly to keep donors abreast of development and progress using its website and social media platforms. In addition, See Africa Grow will assure accountability from CRIF to ensure that all donated monies are applied directly to the project.

Among the women of CRIF who will implement the Kindergarten project in Bamako are the following Malian citizens who have long since sought and worked to improve the lives of those within their circle of influence:

Mme Bouaré Aminata Traore, Professor of Biology and Home Economics who has taught at the second cycle (roughly equivalent to the 3rd and 4th year of the US college system) for more than 23 years. Mrs. Traore has a Master’s degree in Social Development Service and worked with young adults for many years until her official retirement in 2016. She currently works in her community in Bamako and takes care of her grandchildren as well as those of other people in her community. In this role she provides not only nurturing but structured learning for the children in her care.

Dr. Sitan Traore, is a medical entomologist with a PhD in Applied Science from Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des Technologies de Bamako (USTTB) and has worked in the Faculté Des Sciences Et Techniques Département D’enseignement Et De Recherche De Biologie. She received a Master of Science degree in Entomology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and a Master of Science degree in Medical Entomology from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. As a member of various associations, she has worked tirelessly to support research for women’s initiatives and to advance equity for women and girls in the areas of education, sanitation, and leadership.

Mme Assitan Coulibaly, is the Interim President of the Mali Red Cross Society. She has an MBA in Marketing, a Master’s degree in Marketing Communications, and a Bachelors in Advanced Technology in Marketing Strategies from the School of Advanced Practical Studies in Bamako, Mali. She also holds a Certificate in International Relations from Kiev State University in Kiev, Ukraine. She has worked extensively with youth under the Red Cross and has served as General Director of the National Development Communication Agency as well as Special Advisor to the General Director of the Malian Press and Advertising Agency.