(Newswire.net — July 9, 2015) Sandy, UT — Empower Mali, a local non-profit organization has received a generous donation from the Watkins family in Alpine, UT.
The purpose of the donation is a twofold blessing to the community of Ouelessebougou. It will help fund a three classroom middle school and one tractor as part of a food security project.
The rural village of Dongorona is situated in the community of Oueléssébougou, Mali. With a population of 1300 households, there are 260 children currently attending primary and middle school. Many more have dropped out after 6th grade. The primary school, built in 1981, houses grades 1-6 and currently has 200 children, of which 36 are in the final 6th grade. Currently 60 children will walk the 12 miles each day to attend the neighboring middle school in Simidji. The road they walk is a main road which is continuously busy with many buses/cars/trucks travelling dangerously fast. Many parents in the village have withdrawn their girls because of fear of having them walk that long distance alone. A school in the village will give these girls an equal chance at an education and prevent early marriages. The village is committed to the completion and future upkeep of the middle school and has contributed land and 10% of the funds.
The funds will help construct a fully equipped three classroom middle school housing grades 7-9, a director’s office, a store room and 6 latrines ( 3 boys and 3 girls). Once the school is completed, it will serve the children of Dongorona as well as surrounding communities. The middle school when completed will be called the MICAH SHEA WATKINS ACADEMY OF DONGORONA. Education authorities have already given their agreement to provide teachers once the school is built.
The tractor will serve a village in the community of Oueléssébougou. This donation is part of the “40 tractors for 40 villages” food security initiative which will allow farmers to modernize their business
and help increase production of staples like cotton, sorghum,
millet, maize, and rice. A massive increase in
productivity and output will make a decisive improvement in production, employment and increase rural incomes.
About Empower Mali
Empower Mali (www.empowermali.org) was established to work directly with citizens and local leaders in Mali to improve access to education, healthcare and basic amenities. Empower Mali believes that the citizens and communities of Mali have the right to become self-reliant. They work to form a close partnership with the citizens of Mali and Malian government officials believing no one knows best how to resolve the community needs than the community they serve.
CONTACT: James Arrington Board Member
(801) 898-0812