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Mali
Numbers at a Glance
Support Save the ChildrenCharitable contributions from people like you make it possible for us to support programs in Mali, and so much more. Please support our mission and work around the world with a gift to our Global Action Fund. You can count on us to be good stewards of your generous donation, helping vulnerable children where the need is greatest with whatever they need the most. You can help make a difference by supporting all the work that Save the Children does to help children in need in the U.S. and around the world.
Save the Children has implemented programs in Mali since 1987. Our current portfolio includes health programs for newborns, children and mothers; education programs in early childhood development and primary education; and programs addressing children's nutritional needs and families' incomes. All our programs are designed to help Mali achieve its national development plan. Our work takes place in three of Mali's eight regions – Sikasso, Sego, and Gao – with a population of some 4.8 million children and adults.
ChallengesThere is a great need and demand for Save the Children’s programs in Mali. Children and their families continue to do without basic social services such as education, health, protection and even national identity or registration at birth. The combination of poor roads and low population density makes implementing any program a logistical challenge. Mali remains one of the world’s poorest countries – ranked 175 out of 177 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index 2006 and, according to Save the Children’s Annual State of the Mother’s 2007 Report, is one of the most difficult places in the world to be a mother or a child. Our ResponseHealthOur health programs increase the quality of and access to community-based health and preventive services for children and women of child-bearing age. We research and pilot strategies to improve services and advocate for their expansion regionally and nationally. Save the Children also strengthens the delivery of basic health care to hard-to-reach families. Mali also is among the countries where we are introducing simple, low-cost interventions that can help save the lives of newborns. Last year, our services reached some 4 million people, including more than 1.7 million children.
School Health and NutritionSave the Children delivers school-based health services, such as deworming medicines and vitamin supplements, to children. Children are taught proper hygiene, using new latrines and wells Save the Children has installed at their schools. In the Kolondièba District, we reach children who attend school as well as children who are not enrolled. Last year, we worked in 18 schools to raise students’ awareness of critical health issues including HIV/AIDS, early pregnancy and malaria.
EducationSave the Children increases children’s access to education by building classrooms that meet government standards. This makes schools qualify as public schools and benefit from government support. We build schools in communities in exchange for a commitment from parents and the community to enroll all children. Save the Children also helps small communities manage education in light of decentralization and invest local resources for children’s schooling. We also train teachers and help communities solve teachers’ housing needs. Last year, 101 classrooms were built and equipped in Kolondièba, with a resulting increase in children’s enrollment from 69 to 74 percent. In addition, we built five large wells equipped with hand-pumps and constructed 45 latrines for students.
Food SecurityDuring the recent hunger crisis in the north, Save the Children distributed food to some 4,600 households. Supplemental food was provided to 22,500 children under age 5. We are now focusing on helping families reduce their vulnerability to hunger by improving their productivity and farming skills and helping them to manage their assets. In addition, Save the Children set up a food bank and a herd restocking project. We have mobilized and trained local groups – including women's groups – to create market gardens and created "cash-for-work" activities for women. Last year, our food security services benefited over 32,000 people, including nearly 14,000 children.
Democracy and Good GovernanceSave the Children seeks to help civic organizations in the Koulikoro Region participate in community management of small village groupings. This helps to build the local capacity so that important activities such as health services, education, management of water resources, improvements to local agriculture and women's literacy groups are sustainable. Last year, our democracy and governance services benefited more than 4 million people, including more than 1.7 million children.
Plans for the FutureSave the Children will continue to concentrate our efforts in rural, poor communities in southern Mali, where 80 percent of the population resides. In education, Save the Children will focus increased attention on revising curricula and enhancing quality in the classroom. With large numbers of children beginning to graduate from the sixth grade, there is an urgent need for the establishment and staffing of grades seven to nine. We will work to close this gap, as it will benefit all children and especially helps to strengthen girls’ education. Although recent surveys show that overall HIV prevalence in Mali is 1.7 percent, high rates in certain populations underscore the importance of continuing our programs. Save the Children also plans to focus on increasing families’ economic activities. Last Updated on October 2011 |
