Mali, country of honor for the 2024 edition
A hopeful journey to school
Every year for more than thirty years, the Walk of Hope has been an opportunity for local children to mobilize in support of children elsewhere, whose living conditions are often not conducive to their proper development and respect for their rights. This year, every kilometer covered will support the projects of our partner associations Terre des Hommes Suisse in Mali, a country we wanted to highlight from the angle of the right to quality education above all else.
In this country, Terre des Hommes Suisse is committed, with the support of partner associations such as ADAC (Association pour le Développement et l’Appuis aux Communautés) and AMDD (Association Malienne pour le Développement Durable), to ensuring access to education and protection for vulnerable children. Mali is among the countries with the highest numbers of out-of-school children in the world and in sub-Saharan Africa, compared to their populations. Poverty, armed conflict and population displacement all have a considerable impact on children’s ability to access regular, high-quality, safe education.
The educational challenge in Mali in a delicate context
This magnificent country boasts a remarkable wealth of culture and history. Currently governed by a coup d’état regime with no planned elections, the country faces unstable socio-economic conditions, increased humanitarian needs and precarious security, seriously jeopardizing the education system. Rural areas are the hardest hit by the lack of educational infrastructure, qualified staff and basic resources (teaching materials, supplies, etc.). Despite the efforts made by the government and international organizations, access to education remains limited for many children in Mali, and it is on this issue more specifically that TdH Suisse has decided to get involved with the help of its partners. The aim is to set up schemes enabling children to return to school through remedial school programs, new classrooms and school kits. “Children’s clubs” are also being set up to encourage access to learning and the defense of their rights.
Focus on two partners supported by Terre des Hommes Suisse
Terre des Hommes Suisse has been active in Mali since 1996, thanks to the invaluable help of five local partners: ADAC, AMDD, APSEF, GARDEM and AJA. On the ground, these actors deploy a multitude of efforts to improve the quality of life of children and young people in vulnerable situations. Their actions focus on reintegrating out-of-school children into the education system, strengthening teachers’ skills and facilitating access to vocational training for out-of-school youth. They also provide invaluable support to families living in extreme poverty.
Association for Community Development and Support (ADAC)
ADAC is a national, apolitical, secular and non-profit NGO. It operates in various areas of Mali, mainly in the fields of education, nutrition and child/youth protection. It works to ensure that Malian communities live in a just and equitable society, with secure livelihoods and improved access to resources.
The specific objective of the TdH Suisse mission is to help improve access to civil status, education and food rights for children displaced by the intercommunity conflict between the Peuls and Dogons in the Faladié sites.
A few figures: ADAC represents 652 child beneficiaries (1 to 18 years), 160 young people (19 to 25 years) and over 476 adults (over 26 years).
Malian Association for Sustainable Development (AMDD)
AMDD is an association created by a group of women working in the health sub-sector, agriculture, market gardening, agri-food processing, education, cereal conservation and marketing, as well as in strengthening good governance. In their approach, education is the cornerstone of sustainable development. AMMD operates mainly in the Koulikoro region.
The specific objective with the TdH Suisse mission is to increase access and retention of girls, boys, marginalized and vulnerable children aged 7 to 14 to quality basic education and sustainable development in the localities of Kati and Fana.
Once again this year, we invite you to walk alongside us for children’s rights in Mali. The funds raised will not only finance projects in Mali, but also projects for children and young people in West Africa.
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