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Mali

Mali is a large, landlocked nation that stretches between the Sahara desert in the north and tropical Africa to the south. Home to ancient empires, Mali is now classified as one of the five least developed countries in the world.

Approximately 80% of Mali’s workforce is involved in agriculture, livestock raising or fishing. But the country is plagued with frequent drought, locust swarms and subsequent lack of food.

Heavily dependent on foreign aid, Mali’s economy is also vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices for cotton, the country’s main export.

Educating Mali’s Children

More than half of Mali’s children do not go to school, and many of those who enroll do not finish their studies. Education is often expensive and some villages are far away from the nearest school. In addition, many children are required to work at home instead of attending school. Girls usually help with the housework while the boys shepherd livestock or produce crops with their fathers. Parents prefer to educate boys, as girls are often married at an early age.

Yet educating children is the best way to fight poverty -- and is the basis for sustainable human development.

Statistics prove that girls who can read and write go on to have healthier children and are better able to look after their own families.

As well as providing the infrastructure for children to go to school, World Vision is working with communities to advocate for change. Community leaders, parents and other family members need to understand the benefits of sending their children to school. In many cases, this requires a long-term vision, often sacrificing the benefits of today’s work on the land or in the home for a better tomorrow.

Threats to children's health

Mali’s infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world. Chronic malnutrition stunts children’s growth. Malaria, respiratory infections, malnutrition and diarrhoea are the leading causes of death. There is a shortage of trained medical staff and accessible health facilities.

More than 90 per cent of women have undergone female genital mutilation during childhood (also known as female circumcision – this involves the removal of some of a girl’s genitalia). As well as having physical and psychological consequences, female genital mutilation can lead to difficulties in childbirth and increased susceptibility to infection.

World Vision in Mali

World Vision has been working in Mali since 1975, establishing water, agriculture and literacy projects. By 1988, World Vision had established longer-term community-based Area Development Programmes (ADPs). Today, 26 ADPs are helping about one million people through projects that include:

• increasing access to clean drinking water, through the drilling and equipping of boreholes, repairing traditional wells, and training community committees and mechanics to manage and maintain the water supply.
• building and improving primary schools to increase attendance rates; providing school uniforms and supplies to school children; and building literacy skills in local languages among adults.
• increasing community access to healthcare by building and equipping health facilities, training local health workers, immunizing children, teaching mothers about nutrition and good hygiene, and increasing awareness about HIV and AIDS.
• introducing farmers to new agricultural techniques and providing seeds to increase crop yields.
• helping families launch small businesses to increase their incomes.
• organizing and training community leaders for better community management.

Humanitarian Profile: Mali

Region: West Africa
Population: 12 million
Ranked 173 out of 177 countries according to Human Development indicators ( HDI)
Life expectancy: 53 years
More than one in five children dies before their fifth birthday
One in three children under five are underweight
Three in four adults cannot read or write
One in two people lack access to clean water
1.7% of population living with HIV & AIDS.

Sources: Global Hunger Index, UNAIDS, UNDP

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